NCT06683924

Pulsed Radiofrequency Ablation and Steroid Injections for the Treatment of Meralgia Paresthetica

Comparison of Pulsed Radiofrequency Ablation and Steroid Injections of The Lateral Femoral Cutaneous Nerve for The Treatment of Meralgia Paresthetica

• Status: Completed
• Phase: N/A
• Study type: Interventional
• Enrollment: 22 (actual)
• Sponsor: Ankara City Hospital Bilkent · Academic / Other
• Sex: All
• Age: 18 Years – 90 Years
• Healthy volunteers: Not accepted

Summary

Meralgia Paresthetica (MP) is a mononeuropathy of the lateral femoral cutaneous nerve (LFCN), characterized by pain, numbness, hyperesthesia, or hypoesthesia, especially in the anterolateral thigh where the nerve has a sensory distribution. TheLFCN passes between the psoas and quadratus lumborum muscles in the iliac fossa and enters the thigh under the inguinal ligament by passing through the anterior superior iliac spine over the iliacus muscle. It superficially spreads over the sartorius muscle and receives sensation in the anterolateral thigh. Ultrasonography (US) is frequently used by physiatrists in the diagnosis and interventional treatment of musculoskeletal diseases. MP is usually diagnosed with clinical symptoms such as burning, tingling, pain, and dysesthesia in the anterolateral thigh. Electromyography, US, and magnetic resonance imaging are helpful in diagnosis. US is an easy-to-apply, inexpensive method in daily practice, providing great comfort to clinicians in determining etiology and differential diagnosis. Treatment may include patient education, avoiding tight belts, losing weight, conservative treatment methods, use of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, local anesthetic and/or steroid injections, surgical neurectomy, neurolysis or transpositions. However, in recent years, there have been case series showing that radiofrequency ablation (RF) can also be applied. The aim of this study is to compare the effectiveness of RF ablation of the lateral femoral cutaneous nerve with steroid injection in patients with clinically diagnosed MP and confirmed by US.

Conditions

• Meralgia Paresthetica

Interventions

Type	Name	Description
PROCEDURE	Pulsed Radiofrequency Ablation	The area where the lateral femoral cutaneous nerve is seen with US will be anesthetized with 1 ml of 1% lidocaine and a 22 Gauge, 10 cm-5 mm RF cannula will be inserted. Sensory fibers will be stimulated with 0.3-0.5 V. Then, motor fibers will be stimulated up to 1.5 V. If no motor contraction is seen, LFCN will be ablated at 42 degrees Celsius for 240 seconds. The procedure will be completed with the injection of 2 ml of 2% lidocaine and 2 ml (8 mg) dexamethasone through the RF cannula.
DRUG	Steroid (dexamethasone) Injection	Where the lateral femoral cutaneous nerve is visible with US, 2 ml of 2% lidocaine and 2 ml (8 mg) dexamethasone will be injected.

Timeline

• Start date: 2024-10-01
• Primary completion: 2025-08-01
• Completion: 2025-11-01
• First posted: 2024-11-12
• Last updated: 2025-11-17

Locations

1 site across 1 country: Turkey (Türkiye)