Abstract
Introduction: Meralgia paresthetica is a focal neuropathy caused by compression of the lateral femoral cutaneous nerve (LFCN). The disease can be difficult to assess by neurophysiological or imaging studies. Methods: We studied 5 patients who presented to our neuromuscular clinic from April 2012 to December 2014 with a clinical suspicion of meralgia paresthetica and had skin biopsies with intraepidermal nerve fiber density (IENFD) evaluation. Results: The mean age at onset was 37.2 (range 21-59) years. There were 4 women and 1 man. Two were obese, 2 wore tight jeans, and 1 had mild diabetes mellitus. IENFD was reduced in the symptomatic proximal thigh in all 5 patients and was also reduced in the asymptomatic thigh in 2 patients. It was normal in the distal leg in 4 patients. Conclusion: Meralgia paresthetica is associated with loss of small intraepidermal nerve fibers. Skin biopsy with IENFD evaluation may be a useful diagnostic tool for this disease.
Original language | English (US) |
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Pages (from-to) | 641-643 |
Number of pages | 3 |
Journal | Muscle and Nerve |
Volume | 53 |
Issue number | 4 |
DOIs | |
State | Published - Apr 1 2016 |
Keywords
- Diagnosis
- Intraepidermal nerve fiber density
- Lateral femoral cutaneous nerve
- Meralgia paresthetica
- Skin biopsy
ASJC Scopus subject areas
- Physiology
- Clinical Neurology
- Cellular and Molecular Neuroscience
- Physiology (medical)