J Korean Acad Rehabil Med.  2005 Dec;29(6):614-618.

Anatomical Considerations of the Lateral Femoral Cutaneous Nerve Related to Nerve Conduction Study

• Park SH
• Ko YJ
• Choi ES
• Moon SK
• Choi HJ
• Kang HK

Abstract

OBJECTIVE
Lateral femoral cutaneous nerve (LFCN) conduction study is an objective measure for the diagnosis of meralgia paresthetica. Sensory nerve action potential of LFCN is not frequently evoked because of anatomical variations around inguinal area. The purpose of this study is to support the diagnosis of meralgia paresthetica by considering anatomical variations of LFCN in Korean adult cadavers. METHOD: Eighteen lower limbs of total nine adult cadavers were studied. Men were five and women were four. The points that LFCN or the main branch of LFCN met the imaginary line from anterior superior iliac spine (ASIS) to pubic tubercle and to lateral border of patella were recorded, respectively and distances from ASIS to those points were measured. RESULTS: The distance from ASIS to the point that LFCN or the main branch of LFCN met the imaginary line from ASIS to pubic tubercle and to lateral border of patella was respectivlely 1.36+/-0.68 cm (minimal 0.2, maximal 3.0) and 10.74+/-5.68 (minimal 3.3, maximal 20.1) cm. There was no significant distance difference between men and women. CONCLUSION: This study showed anatomic variations of LFCN around ASIS and femoral part. This knowledge may help LFCN conduction study for the diagnosis of meralgia paresthetica.

Keyword

Lateral femoral cutaneous nerve; Nerve conduction study; Meralgia paresthetica

MeSH Terms

Action Potentials
Adult
Cadaver
Diagnosis
Female
Humans
Lower Extremity
Male
Neural Conduction*
Patella
Spine