Painful lumbosacral plexopathy: a case report.

Area of Science:

• Neurology
• Neurophysiology

Background:

• Lumbosacral plexus disorders (LSP) are common and require thorough neurological examination, including electromyography (EMG) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), for diagnosis.
• Differential diagnosis for LSP encompasses metabolic, oncological, inflammatory, ischemic, and autoimmune conditions.
• Assessing muscle paresis, sensory deficits, pain, and spinal abnormalities is crucial for evaluating LSP.

Observation:

• A 64-year-old male presented with acute onset of painful LSP.
• Electromyography revealed axonal lesions, while MRI indicated plexus affliction distal to the nerve roots.
• The patient experienced severe muscle paresis in the femoral and obturator nerve distributions.

Findings:

• The case highlights a rare presentation of painful lumbosacral plexopathy.
• Electromyography findings were consistent with an axonal type of nerve injury.
• Gradual remission of symptoms occurred over a 3-month period.

Implications:

• The presumed autoimmune etiology in this case expands the understanding of LSP causes.
• This case underscores the importance of considering autoimmune disorders in the differential diagnosis of painful plexopathies.
• Further research into autoimmune mechanisms underlying LSP is warranted.