• M Trummer, G Flaschka, F Unger, and S Eustacchio.
• Department of Neurosurgery, Karl-Franzens University, Graz, Austria.
• Surg Neurol. 2000 Jul 1;54(1):80-1.

BackgroundMeralgia paresthetica, a syndrome of pain and/or dysesthesia in the anterolateral thigh, is normally caused by an entrapment of the lateral femoral cutaneous nerve (LFCN) at the anterior superior iliac spine. In a few cases compression of the nerve in the retroperitoneum has been reported to mimic meralgia paresthetica.Case DescriptionA 67-year-old woman presented with a 5-year history of permanent paresthesia in the anterolateral thigh. Motor weakness was not detected. Electromyography showed a neurogenic lesion at the level of L3. Lumbar spine MRI detected a foraminal-extraforaminal disc herniation at L2/L3, which was extirpated via a lateral transmuscular approach. The patient was free of symptoms on the first postoperative day.ConclusionIn patients with meralgia paresthetica we emphasize a complete radiological investigation of the lumbar spine, including MRI, to exclude radicular compression by a disc herniation or a tumour at the level of L2 or L3.

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