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Meralgia Paresthetica: What an Anesthesiologist Needs to Know
  1. Grace K.M. Hui, MBBS, FHKCA, FHKAM(Anaes)* and
  2. Philip W.H. Peng, MBBS, FRCPC
  1. From the *Department of Anaesthesia, Princess Margaret Hospital, Hong Kong; and
  2. Department of Anesthesia, Toronto Western Hospital, University of Toronto, Canada.
  1. Address correspondence to: Philip W.H. Peng, MBBS, FRCPC, McL 2-405, Toronto Western Hospital, 399 Bathurst St, Toronto Ontario, Canada M5T 2S8 (e-mail: Philip.peng{at}uhn.on.ca).

Abstract

Meralgia paresthetica (MP) is an entrapment pain syndrome of the lateral femoral cutaneous nerve (LFCN) of thigh. Diagnosis is principally made on clinical ground with pain and paresthesia of the anterolateral thigh. Electrophysiological test and nerve block play important roles when the diagnosis is uncertain. Clinicians should be aware of the various etiological factors that can be potentially modified or treated. Most of the patients respond to conservative management including nerve block. Surgical options should be considered in patients refractory to those treatment options. Anesthesiologists are commonly involved in the management of MP because of their expertise in pain management and performance of the LFCN block. Blockade of the LFCN with local anesthetics and steroid serves both the diagnostic and therapeutic role.

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