• Tobias Rossmann, Jasmin Zessner-Spitzenberg, Camilla Sandurkov, Ulrike M Heber, Wolfgang J Weninger, and Stefan Meng.
• Center for Anatomy and Cell Biology, Medical University of Vienna, Waehringer Strasse 13, 1090 Vienna, Austria; Department of Neurosurgery, Neuromed Campus, Kepler University Hospital, Johannes Kepler University, Wagner-Jauregg-Weg 15, 4020 Linz, Austria.
• Pain Physician. 2020 Jul 1; 23 (4): E363-E368.

BackgroundUltrasound-guided perineural injections at the lateral femoral cutaneous nerve (LFCN) may confirm the correct diagnosis and provide symptom relief in meralgia paresthetica. Although correct visualization of the nerve is generally described as feasible, failure rates of the procedure may be as high as 30%.ObjectivesThis study investigated the spread of injected fluids in ultrasound-guided perineural injections at the LFCN. The aim of the study was to evaluate whether the inguinal ligament impedes the distribution of injected fluids along the course of the LFCN.Study DesignWe used a descriptive research design.SettingResearch was conducted at an anatomical research facility.MethodsIn fresh, nonembalmed cadavers, 2 mL of ink were injected with ultrasound-guidance at the LFCN below the inguinal ligament. The course of the nerve was then dissected to show the extent of nerve staining.ResultsSpread of the injected ink proximal to the inguinal ligament was found in 67.65% of specimens, while the ink did not pass the inguinal ligament in 32.35%. Concerning proximal spread, specimen body mass index was not of any relevance.LimitationsThis cadaver study is only a simulation of the real clinical setting and does not allow any insight into the efficacy of the injection in living patients.ConclusionsThe inguinal ligament is a barrier in the distribution of injected fluids in about one-third of specimens. This might be a major cause of failure in ultrasound-guided injections. The results from our study are in line with previously published failure rates and our findings might provide the anatomic basis to advance injection techniques.Key WordsCadaver study; injection; lateral femoral cutaneous nerve; LFCN; meralgia paresthetica; nerve entrapment; sonography; ultrasound.

27 keywords...

hide…