Sonographic Assessment of the Lateral Femoral Cutaneous Nerve

Purpose. To evaluate the ability of high-frequency sonography to evaluate the lateral femoral cutaneous nerve (LFCN). Methods. A cadaveric study was performed on 5 cadavers to outline the normal course of the LFCN. Next, 37 LFCNs in 21 volunteers were evaluated via sonography with a 5-13-MHz linear-array transducer. Results. The LFCN was easily identified in our dissections. It always entered the thigh under the inguinal ligament and coursed superficially to the sartorius muscle. In 2/10 (20%) cases, anatomical variants were observed. Sonography revealed the LFCN in 26/37 (70%) cases. The relationships of the nerve with the deep circumflex iliac artery, the anterior superior iliac spine, and the sartorius were visualized. Neuromas were observed bilaterally in 1 volunteer. Conclusion. The LFCN can be seen in the groin with the aid of sonography. (C) 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Clin Ultrasound 37:89-95, 2009; Published online in Wiley InterScience (www.interscience.wiley.com). DOI: 10.1002/jcu.20521