Rare peripheral femoral nerve neuropathy in children

Abstract

Peripheral neuropathy of the femoral nerve is extremely rare. In the literature, we found descriptions of only 50 similar patients, mainly as a complication of coagulopathies, and none of intrapelvic tumors. Three children with a rare peripheral neuropathy of the femoral nerve as a complication of extraperitoneal pelvic masses are described in this report. In all three, the neuropathy was caused by stretching of the femoral nerve over a huge intrapelvic mass. None was related to coagulopathy. After removal of the masses, full recovery from the neurological symptoms was observed in two children and the recovery of the patient with Ewing's sarcoma is satisfying, at the 2-year follow-up and at the time of writing. As early surgical debulking of the mass was a good influence on the recovery of the nerve paresis, we believe that is imperative in the treatment process. Medical staff should be aware that a serious illness can lie behind peripheral femoral nerve neuropathy.