Femoral Mononeuropathy Workup
- Author: Wayne E Anderson, DO; Chief Editor: Nicholas Lorenzo, MD more...
Approach Considerations
Nerve conduction studies and electromyography
Evaluation for femoral nerve dysfunction includes nerve conduction studies (NCS) and needle electromyography (EMG). NCS should include sensory studies of the saphenous nerve and motor studies of the femoral nerve. When evaluating femoral NCS, results on the symptomatic side should be compared with those on the asymptomatic side. On EMG, the quadriceps should show neuropathic changes.
Imaging studies
In cases of suspected retroperitoneal hematoma, an emergent computed tomography (CT) scan of the pelvis should be performed.
In cases in which the etiology is not apparent, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) or CT scanning of the pelvis may help in localizing the site of compression and may define the etiology (eg, tumor, abdominal aortic aneurysm, iliac aneurysm).
Phang IS, Biant LC, Jones TS. Neurostenalgia of the femoral nerve: a treatable cause of intractable hip pain in a young adult. J Arthroplasty. Apr 2010;25(3):498.e15-7. [Medline].
Olesen LL. Femoral neuropathy secondary to anticoagulation. J Intern Med. Oct 1989;226(4):279-80. [Medline].
Colak M, Canbaz H, Ayan I, Karabacak T, Kuyurtar F. Intrapelvic mass causing femoral compression neuropathy in a patient with Gaucher disease: a case report. Eklem Hastalik Cerrahisi. 2009;20(3):169-73. [Medline].
al Hakim M, Katirji B. Femoral mononeuropathy induced by the lithotomy position: a report of 5 cases with a review of literature. Muscle Nerve. Sep 1993;16(9):891-5. [Medline].
Peirce C, O'Brien C, O'Herlihy C. Postpartum femoral neuropathy following spontaneous vaginal delivery. J Obstet Gynaecol. Feb 2010;30(2):203-4. [Medline].
Wong CA. Nerve injuries after neuraxial anaesthesia and their medicolegal implications. Best Pract Res Clin Obstet Gynaecol. Jan 4 2010;[Medline].
Kurt S, Kaplan Y, Karaer H, Erkorkmaz U. Femoral nerve involvement in diabetics. Eur J Neurol. Mar 2009;16(3):375-9. [Medline].
Krendel DA, Zacharias A, Younger DS. Autoimmune diabetic neuropathy. Neurol Clin. Nov 1997;15(4):959-71. [Medline].
Llewelyn JG, Thomas PK, King RH. Epineurial microvasculitis in proximal diabetic neuropathy. J Neurol. Mar 1998;245(3):159-65. [Medline].
Collins MP, Periquet-Collins I. Nonsystemic vasculitic neuropathy: update on diagnosis, classification, pathogenesis, and treatment. Front Neurol Neurosci. 2009;26:26-66. [Medline].
Naroji S, Belin LJ, Maltenfort MG, Vaccaro AR, Schwartz D, Harrop JS, et al. Vulnerability of the femoral nerve during complex anterior and posterior spinal surgery. J Spinal Cord Med. 2009;32(4):432-5. [Medline].
Azuelos A, Coro L, Alexandre A. Femoral nerve entrapment. Acta Neurochir Suppl. 2005;92:61-2. [Medline].
Farrell CM, Springer BD, Haidukewych GJ, Morrey BF. Motor nerve palsy following primary total hip arthroplasty. J Bone Joint Surg Am. Dec 2005;87(12):2619-25. [Medline].
Parmer SS, Carpenter JP, Fairman RM, Velazquez OC, Mitchell ME. Femoral neuropathy following retroperitoneal hemorrhage: case series and review of the literature. Ann Vasc Surg. Jul 2006;20(4):536-40. [Medline].

