Ultrasonographic Findings of the Lateral Femoral Cutaneous Nerve in Normal Adult Women

J Korean Assoc EMG Electrodiagn Med 2008;10(2):130-134.
Published online December 1, 2008.

Abstract

Objective: To determine the lateral femoral cutaneous nerve (LFCN) ultrasonographic dimensions, nervepathway, and regional anatomy.Method: Thirty healthy, asymptomatic adult women participated in this study. Using ultrasonography(US), we measured the cross-sectional circumference, area, diameter of the LFCN and the distance fromthe anterior superior iliac spine (ASIS) to LFCN. Height and weight of the subjects were obtained andbody mass index (BMI) was determined. Correlation between the measured parameters and age and bodymass index (BMI) was observedResult: The mean circumference, area, longitudinal and transverse diameters were 8.5±0.4 mm, 4.5±1.0 mm2, 3.5±0.3 mm, and 1.5±0.2 mm, respectively. The mean distance between the ASIS and LFCNwas 3.4±0.8 mm. There was no correlation between the US parameters and BMI or age.Conclusion: High-resolution US examination may be a useful tool in the evaluation of LFCN and diagnosisof meralgia paresthetica.

Key Words: Lateral femoral cutaneous nerve, Ultrasonography