Annals of Clinical Neurophysiology

The Korean Society of Clinical Neurophysiology (대한임상신경생리학회)
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Clinical and Electrophysiological Characteristics of Meralgia Paresthetica

대퇴감각이상증의 임상 및 전기생리학적 특징

  • Choi, Mun Hee (Department of Neurology, Ajou University School of Medicine) ;
  • Park, Hanul (Department of Neurology, Ajou University School of Medicine) ;
  • Eom, Young In (Department of Neurology, Ajou University School of Medicine) ;
  • Joo, In Soo (Department of Neurology, Ajou University School of Medicine)
  • 최문희 (아주대학교 의과대학 신경과학교실) ;
  • 박하늘 (아주대학교 의과대학 신경과학교실) ;
  • 엄영인 (아주대학교 의과대학 신경과학교실) ;
  • 주인수 (아주대학교 의과대학 신경과학교실)
  • Received : 2013.05.06
  • Accepted : 2013.12.05
  • Published : 2013.12.30
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Abstract

Background: Meralgia paresthetica (MP) is a mononeuropathy affecting the lateral femoral cutaneous nerve. The disease is often diagnosed clinically, but electrophysiological tests play an important role. The aim of this study is to clarify clinical characteristics of MP as well as the role of sensory nerve conduction study (NCS) in the diagnosis of MP. Methods: Sixty-five consecutive patients with clinical diagnosis of MP between March 2001 and June 2012 were retrospectively reviewed at a single tertiary center. General demographics, clinical characteristics and sensory NCS findings were investigated. Measurements of sensory NCS included the baseline-to-peak amplitude, side-to-side amplitude ratio and the conduction velocity. To compare between the normal and abnormal NCS groups, independent t-tests and chisquare test were performed. Results: Sixty-five patients had male predominance (56.9%) with mean age of $48.4{\pm}13.4$ years (range: 16-75). Seven patients (13.5%) had undergone operation or procedure before the symptom onset. The sensory nerve action potentials were obtainable in 52 (80%) of 65 clinically diagnosed MP patients. Sensory NCS revealed abnormalities in 38 patients (73.1%), and others (n=14, 26.9%) showed normal findings. Between the normal and abnormal NCS groups, there is no statistically significant difference on demographics or clinical features. Conclusions: We clarify the clinical features and sensory NCS findings of MP patients. Due to several limitations of sensory NCS, the diagnosis of MP could be accomplished both clinically and electrophysiologically.

Keywords

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