J Korean Acad Rehabil Med.  2009 Feb;33(1):127-130.

Bilateral Sciatic Neuropathy associated with Rhabdomyolysis in an Immobilized Patient: A case report

• Lee SA
• Lim JY

Abstract

We report an elderly woman suffering from bilateral sciatic neuropathy associated with rhabdomyolysis, identified with electrodiagnosis and hip MRI. She was found sitting in the same position following benzodiazepine intoxication for several hours. She complained of thigh pain, asymmetric hypoesthesia and weakness of both lower extremities. The electrodiagnostic study showed profound abnormal spontaneous activities on muscles innervated by sciatic nerve and no action potentials in nerve conduction study indicating bilateral sciatic neuropathy, more severely involved in the right than in the left, between gluteal region and mid thigh level. The hip MRI revealed rhabdomyolysis and inflammatory lesion around sciatic nerve between the ischial spine and 5 cm below ischial tuberosity. The possibilities of focal inflammatory neuropathy triggered by immobilization in chronic illness or vulnerable conditions were reviewed.

Keyword

Sciatic neuropathy; Immobilization; Rhabdomyolysis

MeSH Terms

Action Potentials
Aged
Benzodiazepines
Buttocks
Chronic Disease
Electrodiagnosis
Female
Hip
Humans
Hypesthesia
Immobilization
Lower Extremity
Muscles
Neural Conduction
Rhabdomyolysis
Sciatic Nerve
Sciatic Neuropathy
Spine
Stress, Psychological
Thigh
Benzodiazepines