Shedding light on rare iliac crest pain: exploring iliohypogastric nerve schwannoma using ultrasound imaging.

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Radiofrequency Treatment of Iliac and Paravertebral Cluneal Nerves for Low Back Pain.

BACKGROUND: Paravertebral cluneal nerves are constrained within a tunnel consisting of the thoracolumbar fascia and the iliac crest's superior rim as they pass over the iliac crest. Their involvement in low back pain has not been presented previously. OBJECTIVE: To develop a diagnostic and therapeutic protocol for radiofrequency ablation of paravertebral and iliac cluneal trigger points. STUDY DESIGN: In a prospective observational cohort study, clinically painful trigger points were anatomically defined with diagnostic local anesthetic injections containing a steroid. Validated trigger points were ablated and the resolution of low back pain was monitored and analyzed. SETTING: The Spinal Foundation, The Weymouth Hospital, London, United Kingdom. METHODS: Injections at painful trigger points were considered diagnostic if patients reported 50% or more low back pain relief sustained for 10 days or more. These patients were treated with aware state radiofrequency ablation of the trigger points if the back or referred pain remained refractory despite 3 months of core correction physiotherapy. Clinical outcomes were assessed with the visual analog scale (VAS) and Oswestry Disability Index (ODI) scores for low back pain at a minimum follow-up of 2 years. RESULTS: This prospective feasibility study included 52 patients with an average age of 56.9 ± 14.9 years ranging from 29 to 83. The mean follow-up was 38.33 months ranging from 25 to 66 months. The average symptom duration before the first consultation was 54.8 months. Many patients had multiple failed chronic pain management interventions, including failed epidural steroid injections (28/52, 53.8%); failed facet injections (45/52, 86.5%); failed facet rhizotomies (20/52, 38.5%); and failed sacroiliac joint ablations (34/52, 65/4%). The majority had had spine surgery before presenting with persistent low back or radiating pain. The surgeries were microdiscectomy (38.5%), laminectomy (11.5%), laminotomy (3.8%), endoscopic transforaminal decompression (9.6%), foraminoplasty (1.9%), sacroiliac joint fusion (11.5%), total disc replacement (13.5%), and lumbar fusion (34.6%). Chief concerns were low back (69.2%), buttock pain (71.2%), groin pain (40.4%), trochanteric pain (28.8%), abdominal or flank pain (5.8%), anterior thigh pain (32.7%), and symptoms mimicking sciatica (19.2%). Validated painful trigger points were the lateral (5.7%), superior (48.1%), medial (23.1%), or a combination of 2 (23.1%). The VAS reduction was from 7.25 ± 1.79 to 1.11 ± 0.98 (P < 0.0001). The ODI reduction was from 51.23 ± 9.58 to 7.11 ± 6.69 (P < 0.001). The Prolo score was reduced from 3.59 ± 0.72 to 1.35 ± 0.59. Symptoms resolved completely in 34 (65.4%) patients but persisted slightly in 9 (17.3%) and mildly in another 8 (15.4%). There were no cases of infection, dysesthesia, numbness, or paralysis. LIMITATIONS: Our study suffers from low patient numbers and the absence of another diagnostic test definitively confirming the presence of painful cluneal nerve involvement. CONCLUSION: Cluneal trigger points should be considered in the differential diagnosis of pain in the lower back, flank, lower abdominal, buttock, trochanteric, groin, and thigh area. It is one form of so-called "pseudo-sciatica." The authors' diagnostic injection protocol suggests that most patients with cluneal trigger points may successfully be treated with percutaneous radiofrequency ablation.

Superior and Middle Cluneal Nerve Entrapment: A Cause of Low Back and Radicular Pain.

BACKGROUND: The superior and middle cluneal nerves are sources of low back, buttock, and leg pain. These nerves are cutaneous branches of the lateral branches of the dorsal rami of T11- S4. Pain arising from entrapment or dysfunction of one or more of these nerves is called "cluneal nerve syndrome." A clear understanding of the anatomy underlying cluneal nerve syndrome and its treatment has been hampered by the very small size of the cluneal nerves and their complex, varying anatomy. Because of differing methods and foci of investigation, the literature regarding cluneal nerves has been confusing and even contradictory. OBJECTIVES: This paper provides a thorough critical literature review of cluneal nerve anatomy and implications for therapy. STUDY DESIGN: A modified scoping review. METHODS: The bibliographic trail of English language papers on the anatomy and treatment of cluneal nerve syndrome was used to resolve the contradictions that have appeared in some of the anatomic descriptions and, where applicable, to examine their implications for therapy. RESULTS: Recent anatomic and surgical investigations confirm a wider than previously realized range of central nervous system origins of these peripheral nerves, explaining why cluneal nerve dysfunction can cause a wide array of symptoms, including low back, buttock, and/or leg pain or "pseudosciatica." CONCLUSIONS: Cluneal nerve syndrome is characterized by a triad of pain, tender points, and relief with local anesthetic injections. The pain is a deep, aching, poorly localized low back pain with variable involvement of the buttocks and/or legs. Tender points are localized at the iliac crest or caudal to the posterior superior iliac spine. Muscle weakness and dermatomal sensory changes are absent in cluneal nerve syndrome. If the pain returns after injections, neuroablation, nerve stimulation, or surgical release may be needed.

The effect of fascia iliaca block on postoperative pain and analgesic consumption for patients undergoing primary total hip arthroplasty: a meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials.

BACKGROUND: The primary aim of this systematic review and meta-analysis was to compare postoperative pain, analgesic consumption, and complications after fascia iliaca block (FIB) versus control for patients undergoing primary total hip arthroplasty (THA). Second, we compared the outcomes of FIB versus placebo. Finally, we sought to evaluate pain and analgesic consumption after preoperative and postoperative FIB. METHODS: We performed a systematic literature search in MEDLINE, Embase, Scopus, Web of Science, Google Scholar, ClinicalTrials.gov , and CENTRAL through February 2021 to identify randomized controlled trials (RCTs) that evaluated the efficacy of FIB versus control for patients undergoing primary THA. All analyses were conducted on intent-to-treat data with a random-effects model. RESULTS: Twelve RCTs with a total of 815 patients were included. There was no difference in postoperative pain (P = 0.64), analgesic consumption (P = 0.14), or complication rate (P = 0.99) between FIB and control groups. Moreover, no difference in postoperative pain (P = 0.26), analgesic consumption (P = 0.06), or complication rate (P = 0.71) was found between FIB and placebo. Moreover, sensitivity analysis suggested that no significant difference in postoperative pain, analgesic consumption, or complication rate was present between FIB and control in studies that used preoperative and postoperative FIB. CONCLUSION: FIB was not found to be superior to placebo or various anesthetic techniques for patients undergoing primary THA, as measured by postoperative pain, analgesic consumption, and complications.

Postmortem evaluation of neuromuscular damages more extensive than the surgical intervention area after iliac crest bone graft.

Several complications may occur following iliac bone grafting, one of the common sites for autologous bone harvesting. Of these, it is difficult to localize the damage in neurological complications due to the presence of several nerves in a similar distribution area with variations among individuals. To minimize these complications, conventional clinical anatomical studies using normal human cadavers have estimated the theoretical neurological damage area corresponding to the surgical intervention area. We report a case of neuromuscular damage in a 93-year-old woman who had an iliac crest defect after a bone graft, based on the virtual and physical dissections with histological confirmations.In this study, the patient was confirmed to have severe neuromuscular complications with major complications including a hernia protruding through the iliac defect. One of the two ilioinguinal nerves was extracted with the hernia sac through the iliac defect, and its distal part was completely damaged. The iliohypogastric nerve, which was far from the defect foramen, also showed remarkable fibrosis and demyelination, affected by the degeneration of the transversus abdominis muscles.The present anatomical findings show that the area of eventual neuromuscular damage should be estimated to larger than the conventionally predicted area of direct nerve damage, which is usually concomitant with the surgical intervention area.

Femoral nerve split with variant iliacus muscle: a potential source of femoral nerve entrapment.

The iliacus muscle is a large, flat, triangle-shaped muscle located in the iliac fossa. This muscle forms part of the iliopsoas muscle complex. Although anatomical variations of iliacus muscles are rare, some variations are clinically important due to the possible coexistence of an unusual course of the femoral nerve. The femoral nerve is the largest branch of the lumbar plexus and supplies the muscles and skin in the anterior aspect of the thigh. We encountered a case of a single aberrant slip of the iliacus muscle piercing the femoral nerve in the left iliac fossa of a male cadaver aged 97 years. The potential clinical importance of this variant iliacus muscle accompanied by a femoral nerve split would be femoral neuropathy and possible consequent alterations of sensation in the anterior and medial aspects of the thigh or motor deficit of the quadriceps muscle.

Systematic review and meta-analysis of single injection fascia iliaca blocks in the peri-operative management of patients with hip fractures.

INTRODUCTION: The aim of the study was to determine the analgesic efficacy and safety profile of single injection fascia iliaca compartment block (FICB) performed peri-operatively for isolated hip fractures. EVIDENCE ACQUISITION: MEDLINE, EMBASE, Cochrane and CINAHL were searched from inception to February 2018. Inclusion criteria were: English language, adult patients (>18 years old), isolated traumatic hip fracture treated with single injection FICB peri-operatively. Data were extracted into a pre-piloted form that utilized the PRISMA-P 2015 checklist. Two investigators conducted reviews independently; any ambiguity was resolved by discussion. The quality of studies was assessed using the GRADE checklist and Cochrane risk of bias tool. A random-effects model was applied. Outcomes reviewed were pain level at rest and movement, breakthrough analgesia and complications. EVIDENCE SYNTHESIS: Out of 3757 citations, eight RCTs were included involving 645 participants. Pain was significantly reduced during movements (SMD=-1.82, 95% CI -2.26 to -1.38, P<0.00001) but not at rest (SMD=-0.68, 95% CI -1.70 to 0.35, P=0.20). FICB allowed less (breakthrough) supplemental analgesic (N.=57 vs. N.=73), however this did not reach statistical significance (P=0.19). CONCLUSIONS: FICB is effective in controlling acute peri-operative pain in adult patients with traumatic hip fractures. The benefit is more evident during mobilization of the limb when compared to patients at rest.

The efficacy of fascia iliaca compartment block for pain control after total hip arthroplasty: a meta-analysis.

PURPOSE: Fascia iliaca compartment block (FICB) provides an analgesic option for total hip arthroplasty (THA) patients. The evidence supporting FICB is still not well established. The purpose of this meta-analysis was to assess FICB for pain control in THA patients. METHODS: PubMed, Embase, Cochrane Library, and Chinese Wanfang database were interrogated from their inceptions to December 15, 2018. We included randomized controlled studies reported as full text, those published as abstracts only, and unpublished data, if available. Data were independently extracted by two reviewers and synthesized using a random-effects model or fixed-effects model according to the heterogeneity. RESULTS: A total of eight RCTs were finally included for meta-analysis. Compared with placebo, FICB could significantly reduce VAS pain scores at 1-8 h (WMD = - 0.78, 95% CI [- 1.01, - 0.56], P = 0.000), 12 h (WMD = - 0.69, 95% CI [- 1.22, - 0.16], P = 0.011), and 24 h (WMD = - 0.46, 95% CI [- 0.89, - 0.02], P = 0.039). Compared with the control group, FICB could significantly decrease the occurrence of nausea and length of hospital stay (P < 0.05). There was no significant difference between the VAS pain score at 48 h and risk of fall between the FICB and the control groups (P > 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: FICB could be used to effectively reduce pain intensity up to 24 h, total morphine consumption, and length of hospital stay in THA patients. Optimal strategies of FICB need to be studied in the future.

Supra-inguinal fascia iliaca block under ultrasound guidance for perioperative analgesia during bipolar hip arthroplasty in a patient with severe cardiovascular compromise: A case report.

RATIONALE: The relief of selective hip pain may be difficult to attain. Therefore, a deep nerve block such as epidural anesthesia or lumbar plexus nerve block is required. However, deep nerve blocks may not be possible in patients with complications, including severe cardiovascular disease. PATIENTS CONCERNS: The patient in our report had coronary stents inserted previously and required continuous anticoagulant therapy owing to severe heart failure. DIAGNOSIS: Bipolar hip arthroplasty was required in our patient because of a fracture of the neck of femur on the left side. INTERVENTIONS: We decided to perform the surgery using a fascia iliaca block (block of the femoral and the lateral femoral cutaneous nerves) by the suprainguinal approach. The fascia iliaca nerve block was performed under ultrasound guidance, using 20 mL of levobupivacaine. OUTCOMES: The surgery was performed successfully with adequate sensory block around the hip region. LESSONS: Ultrasound-guided fascia iliaca nerve block by the supra-inguinal approach may be an effective anesthetic technique for patients undergoing surgery for fracture of the neck of femur.

Femoral nerve block versus fascia iliaca block for pain control in total knee and hip arthroplasty: A meta-analysis from randomized controlled trials.

BACKGROUND: This meta-analysis aimed to perform a meta-analysis to compare the efficiency and safety between femoral nerve block (FNB) and fascia iliaca block (FIB) for postoperative pain control in patients undergoing total knee and hip arthroplasties. METHODS: A systematic search was performed in Medline (1966-2017.05), PubMed (1966-2017.05), Embase (1980-2017.05), ScienceDirect (1985-2017.05) and the Cochrane Library. Inclusion criteria (1) Participants: Only published articles enrolling adult participants that with a diagnosis of end-stage of osteoarthritis and prepared for unilateral TKA or THA; (2) Interventions: The intervention group received FIB for postoperative pain management; (3) Comparisons: The control group was received FNB for postoperative pain control; (4) Outcomes: Visual analogue scale (VAS) scores in different periods, opioids consumption, length of stay and postoperative complications; (5) Study design: clinical randomized control trials (RCTs) were regarded as eligible in our study. Cochrane Hand book for Systematic Reviews of Interventions was used for assessment of the included studies and risk of bias was shown. Fixed/random effect model was used according to the heterogeneity tested by I2 statistic. Sensitivity analysis was conducted and publication bias was assessed. Meta-analysis was performed using Stata 11.0 software. RESULTS: Five RCTs including 308 patients met the inclusion criteria. The present meta-analysis indicated that there were no significant differences between groups in terms of visual analog scale (VAS) score at 12 hours (SMD = -0.080, 95% CI: -0.306 to 0.145, P = .485), 24 hours (SMD = 0.098, 95% CI: -0.127 to 0.323, P = .393), and 48 hours (SMD = -0.001, 95% CI: -0.227 to 0.225, P = .993). No significant differences were found regarding opioid consumption at 12 hours (SMD = 0.026, 95% CI: -0.224 to 0.275, P = .840), 24 hours (SMD = 0.037, 95% CI: -0.212 to 0.286, P = .771), and 48 hours (SMD = -0.016, 95% CI: -0.265 to 0.233, P = .900). In addition, no significant increase of complications was identified between groups. CONCLUSION: There is no significant differences of VAS scores at 12-48 hour and opioids consumption at 12-48 hour between two groups following total joint arthroplasty. No increased risk of nausea, vomiting and pruritus was observed in both groups. More high-quality large RCTs with long follow-up period are necessary for proper comparisons of the efficacy and safety of FNB with FIB. The present meta-analysis exists some limitations that should be noted: (1) Only five articles were included in present meta-analysis, although all of them are recently published RCTs, the sample size are relatively small; (2) Functional outcome is an important parameter, due to the insufficiency of relevant data, we cannot perform a meta-analysis. (3) Dose and types of local anesthetics are varied, which may influence the results; (4) The duration of follow up is relatively short which leads to underestimating complications. (5) Publication bias in present meta-analysis may influence the results.

The efficiency and safety of fascia iliaca block for pain control after total joint arthroplasty: A meta-analysis.

BACKGROUND: This meta-analysis aimed to perform a meta-analysis including randomized controlled trials (RCTs) to assess the efficiency and safety of fascia iliaca block (FIB) for pain control in patients undergoing total joint arthroplasty (TJA). METHODS: A systematic search was performed in Medline (1966-2017.03), PubMed (1966-2017.03), Embase (1980-2017.03), ScienceDirect (1985-2017.03) and the Cochrane Library. Study evaluated the efficiency and safety of FIB in TJA was selected. Meta-analysis was performed using Stata 11.0 software. RESULTS: Five randomized controlled trials (RCTs) including 270 patients met the inclusion criteria. The present meta-analysis indicated that there were significant differences between groups in terms of visual analog scale (VAS) score at 12 hours (SMD = -0.544, 95% CI: -0.806 to -0.281, P = .000) and 24 hours (SMD = -0.519, 95% CI: -0.764 to -0.273, P = .000), morphine equivalent consumption at 12 hours (SMD = -0.895, 95% CI: -1.164 to -0.626, P = .000) and 24 hours (SMD = -0.548, 95% CI:-0.793 to -0.303, P = .000). In addition, fewer adverse side effect was identified in FIB groups (RD = -0.139, 95% CI: -0.243 to -0.034, P = .009). CONCLUSION: The application of fascia iliaca block could significantly reduce VAS scores and morphine consumption at 12 and 24 hours following total knee and hip arthroplasty. In addition, there were fewer adverse effects in FIB groups. Due to the limited quality of the evidence currently available, higher quality RCTs are required.

Surface anatomical landmarks for the location of posterior sacral foramina in sacral nerve stimulation.

BACKGROUND: Sacral nerve stimulation is a common treatment for various pelvic floor disorders. It consists of the percutaneous introduction of electrodes through the posterior sacral foramina for therapeutic stimulation of the target sacral spinal nerve. The aim of our study was to determine the surface anatomical landmarks of the sacrum to facilitate identification of the posterior sacral foramina. METHODS: This study was conducted on 20 human cadavers. The cadavers were placed in a prone position, and all the soft tissues of the sacral region were removed to allow exposure of the osseous structures. Different measurements were taken in relation to the posterior sacral foramina, the posterior superior iliac spine (PSIS) and the median sacral crest (MSC). A median coefficient of variation (CV) was determined. RESULTS: The diameter of the second sacral foramen showed the greatest variability. The distances between each individual foramen and the MSC had an acceptable variability (CV < 20%). In contrast, the distance between foramina had a high variability. The distance between PSIS and the second posterior sacral foramen was also found to have an acceptable variability (CV < 20%). However, the angle formed by an horizontal line between PSIS and a line between PSIS and S2 foramina had high variability. CONCLUSIONS: We found that the distance between sacral foramina and MSC is relatively constant while the distance between foramina and the relations between foramina and PSIS is highly variable. Detailed knowledge of the anatomy may facilitate electrode placement and is complementary to the regular use of fluoroscopy.

A Randomized Study to Compare the Analgesic Efficacy of Ultrasound-Guided Block of Fascia Iliaca Compartment or Femoral Nerve After Patella Fracture Surgery.

The aim of this study was to compare the analgesic efficacy of the ultrasound-guided block of femoral nerve or fascia iliaca compartment in patients who underwent patella fracture surgery. Fifty patients were blinded and randomized into groups treated with continuous fascia iliaca compartment block (CFICB) (n = 25) or continuous femoral nerve block (CFNB) (n = 25) after patella fracture surgery. Analgesic effects of the two methods were assessed and compared. Patients from the two groups showed no significant difference in visible analog scales at rest and during movement, fentanyl consumption, nausea, and vomiting. The time of catheter insertion was significantly shorter in carrying out CFICB compared to that in performing CFNB (8.3 ± 1.4 vs 14.5 ± 3.0 min). Three of the 25 patients in CFNB group experienced dysesthesia of anterior of the thigh, a complication which was not observed in CFICB-treated patients. CFICB and CFNB were equally effective in relieving pain after the patella fracture surgery. However, compared to CFNB, CFICB was found to be safer and easier to perform.

Anterior Combined Endopelvic (ACE) approach for the treatment of acetabular and pelvic ring fractures: A new proposal.

PURPOSE: We present our experience of using the Anterior Combined Endopelvic (ACE) approach, which consists of a combination of a newly modified Stoppa approach with the lateral approach to the iliac crest. This approach is discussed in terms of fracture reduction and fixation, technical aspects, and the incidence of complications, and as an alternative to the ilioinguinal approach for the treatment of acetabular fractures. METHODS: A consecutive group of 34 adult patients with acetabular fractures treated surgically with the ACE approach was compared with a group of 42 adult patients treated with the ilioinguinal approach between 2010 and 2013. Both approaches were performed by a single surgeon to fix the acetabular fractures with main anterior displacement and the anterior and lateral parts of the pelvis. All the patients were analysed with typical X-ray projections for acetabular fractures and CT-scan. Charts and radiographs were reviewed for fracture pattern. Operative time, blood loss, quality of reduction, functional outcomes and perioperative complications were compared between the two groups of patients. RESULTS: The mean follow-up of patients was 26 months (range 6-49 months), with a median of 24.5 months. The types of acetabular fraction in the study were as follows: 32 anterior and posterior columns, 18 anterior columns, 10 anterior columns with posterior hemitransverse, 10 transverse associated with posterior walls, two transverse; two T-Type transverse and two anterior walls. Average blood loss was 1090 mL in the ACE group and 1200 mL in the ilioinguinal group. Anatomic or satisfactory reduction was achieved in 94% of the acetabular fractures. Two patients (one in each group) had mild symptoms of the lateral femoral cutaneous nerve and improved within 4-6 months; one patient in the ilioinguinal group developed ossification Brooks grade III. CONCLUSION: The ACE approach for the treatment of acetabular fractures is highly recommended when the fracture involves the quadrilateral surface and anterior column. This approach provides a direct good-to-excellent visualisation and access to the entire fracture, which makes reduction and fixation easier. The clinical outcomes were slightly better with ACE compared with the ilioinguinal approach. Complication rate was similar in the two groups. The ACE technique is a viable alternative to the ilioinguinal approach when exposure of the anterior acetabulum is required.

Anatomic considerations for posterior iliac crest bone procurement.

PURPOSE: The aim of this study was to identify the relative anatomic locations of relevant vital structures at risk for injury during posterior iliac crest bone graft procurement. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Twenty-one cadavers yielded 39 intact posterior ilia for dissection. The posterior superior iliac spine (PSIS) was used as the primary reference landmark. Measurements were made to the medial branch of the superior cluneal nerves, the superior branch of the middle cluneal nerves, the sciatic notch, and the superior gluteal vessels. Distances from the spinal midline to the superior cluneal nerves were recorded. RESULTS: The average distances from the PSIS to the superior and middle cluneal nerves, greater sciatic notch, and superior gluteal vessels were 5.7 cm (standard deviation, 1.22 cm), 6.55 cm (standard deviation, 1.53 cm), 5.3 cm (standard deviation, 0.71 cm), and 5.4 cm (standard deviation, 0.95 cm), respectively. The most medial superior cluneal nerve was identified at 3.0 to 4.9 cm from the PSIS in 23% of cases, at 5.0 to 6.9 cm from the PSIS in 61.5% of cases, and farther than 7.0 cm from the PSIS in 15.4% of cases. CONCLUSIONS: This study illustrates that the most medial superior cluneal nerve is often closer to the PSIS than previously described and the same holds true for the greater sciatic notch and superior gluteal vessels. Knowledge of the anatomic locations of these important structures should allow the surgeon to avoid or decrease the complication rate of bone procurement from the posterior ilium.

Revisiting the anatomy of the ilio-inguinal/iliohypogastric nerve block.

BACKGROUND: The ilio-inguinal/iliohypogastric nerve block (INB) is one of the most common peripheral nerve block techniques in pediatric anesthesia, which is largely due to the introduction of ultrasound (US) guidance. Despite the benefits of US guidance, the absence of an US machine should not deter the provider from performing INB, considering that many institutions, especially in developing countries, cannot afford to provide ultrasound machines in their anesthesiology departments. The aim of this study was to revisit the anatomical position of the ilio-inguinal and iliohypogastric nerves in relation to the anterior superior iliac spine (ASIS), in a large sample of neonatal cadavers, and compare the results with a similar group in a previously published US-guided study. METHODS: With Ethics Committee approval, the ilio-inguinal and iliohypogastric nerves were carefully dissected in 54 neonatal cadavers. RESULTS: In the total sample, the ilio-inguinal nerve was found to be 2.2 ± 1.2 mm from the ASIS, on a line connecting the ASIS to the umbilicus. The iliohypogastric nerve was on average 3.8 ± 1.3 mm from the ASIS. For the entire sample, the optimal needle insertion site was 3.00 mm from the ASIS. Although there is a strong correlation between the needle insertion point and the weight of the neonate, this will only 'fit' for 60% of the population. CONCLUSION: The linear regression formula; needle insertion distance (mm) = 0.6 × weight + 1.8 can be used as a guideline for the position of the ilio-inguinal and iliohypogastric nerves.

Ultrasound-guided fascia iliaca compartment block for hip fractures in the emergency department.

BACKGROUND: Hip fracture (HFx) is a painful injury that is commonly seen in the emergency department (ED). Patients who experience pain from HFx are often treated with intravenous opiates, which may cause deleterious side effects, particularly in elderly patients. An alternative to systemic opioid analgesia involves peripheral nerve blockade. This approach may be ideally suited for the ED environment, where one injection could control pain for many hours. OBJECTIVES: We hypothesized that an ultrasound-guided fascia iliaca compartment block (UFIB) would provide analgesia for patients presenting to the ED with pain from HFx and that this procedure could be performed safely by emergency physicians (EP) after a brief training. METHODS: In this prospective, observational, feasibility study, a convenience sample of 20 cognitively intact patients with isolated HFx had a UFIB performed. Numerical pain scores, vital signs, and side effects were recorded before and after administration of the UFIB at pre-determined time points for 8h. RESULTS: All patients reported decreased pain after the nerve block, with a 76% reduction in mean pain score at 120 min. There were no procedural complications. CONCLUSION: In this small group of ED patients, UFIB provided excellent analgesia without complications and may be a useful adjunct to systemic pain control for HFx.

Anatomy of the ilioinguinal and iliohypogastric nerves with observations of their spinal nerve contributions.

Proper anesthesia and knowledge of the anatomical location of the iliohypogastric and ilioinguinal nerves is important during hernia repair and other surgical procedures. Surgical complications have also implicated these nerves, emphasizing the importance of the development of a clear topographical map for use in their identification. The aim of this study was to explore anatomical variations in the iliohypogastric and ilioinguinal nerves and relate this information to clinical situations. One hundred adult formalin fixed cadavers were dissected resulting in 200 iliohypogastric and ilioinguinal nerve specimens. Each nerve was analyzed for spinal nerve contribution and classified accordingly. All nerves were documented where they entered the abdominal wall with this point being measured in relation to the anterior superior iliac spine (ASIS). The linear course of each nerve was followed, and its lateral distance from the midline at termination was measured. The ilioinguinal nerve originated from L1 in 130 specimens (65%), from T12 and L1 in 28 (14%), from L1 and L2 in 22 (11%), and from L2 and L3 in 20 (10%). The nerve entered the abdominal wall 2.8 ± 1.1 cm medial and 4 ± 1.2 cm inferior to the ASIS and terminated 3 ± 0.5 cm lateral to the midline. The iliohypogastric nerve originated from T12 on 14 sides (7%), from T12 and L1 in 28 (14%), from L1 in 20 (10%), and from T11 and T12 in 12 (6%). The nerve entered the abdominal wall 2.8 ± 1.3 cm medial and 1.4 ± 1.2 cm inferior to the ASIS and terminated 4 ± 1.3 cm lateral to the midline. For both nerves, the distance between the ASIS and the midline was 12.2 ± 1.1 cm. To reduce nerve damage and provide sufficient anesthetic for nerve block during surgical procedures, the precise anatomical location and spinal nerve contributions of the iliohypogastric and ilioinguinal nerves need to be considered.

Variations in the course and microanatomical study of the lateral femoral cutaneous nerve and its clinical importance.

The lateral femoral cutaneous nerve (LFCN), a branch from the lumbar plexus, may come to the clinician's or surgeon's attention. We studied this nerve to determine its location and its relationship with neighboring structures around the anterior superior iliac spine (ASIS) and the inguinal ligament (IL). Additionally, cross-sectional microanatomy of the LFCN at the IL was studied. The LFCN was dissected in 47 lower limbs from formalin-fixed cadavers. The distances from the ASIS to the point where the LFCN crossed the IL and the lateral border of the sartorius were measured. The distance between the ASIS and the point it pierced the deep fascia was also measured. Twelve nerve specimens at the IL were collected for histological sectioning and were stained with hematoxylin and eosin. On examination of the cross-sectional area, the nonfascicular area was wider than the fascicular area because of an increased amount of thick collagen fibers. This study may be of help to clinicians managing meralgia paresthetica and may also assist in defining a safe area for surgical intervention on the anterolateral aspect of the thigh.