Lateral Femoral Cutaneous Nerve Radiofrequency Ablation for Long-term Control of Refractory Meralgia Paresthetica

Abstract

Abstract Background Meralgia paresthetica is a term used to describe a clinical pain syndrome related to the compression or irritation of the lateral femoral cutaneous nerve (LFCN). The LFCN is a pure sensory nerve that is susceptible to compression injury. The most common compression locations are: as it courses from the lumbosacral plexus, through the abdominal cavity, under the inguinal ligament, and into the subcutaneous tissue of the thigh. Methods This case series is a retrospective single-center review of six patients with medically intractable meralgia paresthetica who were treated with radiofrequency ablation. To be considered for radiofrequency ablation, the patient must have been unsuccessful with medical management alone for more than two months and have a clinical diagnosis of meralgia paresthetica. Temporary relief of pain of 50% or greater was considered a positive result. Average pain scores were measured pre- and postprocedure, along with one-, two-, three-, and six-month intervals postoperation. Results All patients demonstrated immediate relief in self-reported pain scores, averaging a 75.5% reduction in pain. At the one-, two-, three-, and six-month follow-ups, patients averaged a reduction of 60.0%, 58.0%, 51.4%, and 40.5%, respectively. Both the postop and one-month follow-up pain scores were lower, statistically significantly so (P < 0.05), whereas the two-, three-, and six-month follow-ups were not statistically different from pretreatment scores. Conclusions Although our study was small, radiofrequency ablation showed a clear reduction in average pain scores in a subset of patients who had failed standard medical therapy with a reduction in pain at one-month follow-up with relief of symptoms sometimes lasting longer than 12 months.