Ilioinguinal Neuralgia Research Articles

PO241 / #747 ULTRASOUND-GUIDED IMPLANTATION OF PERIPHERAL NERVE STIMULATOR FOR THERAPY-RESISTANT ILIOINGUINAL NEURALGIA: E-POSTER VIEWING

A peripheral nerve stimulator (PNS) can be an alternative for long-term pain relief refractory to conventional therapeutic modalities. We present 8 cases of chronic incapacitating ilioinguinal neuralgia, which was successfully managed with permanent ultrasound-guided implantation of a peripheral nerve stimulator.

ID:16074 IPG-Free Peripheral Nerve Stimulation for the Treatment of Chronic Ilioinguinal Neuralgia Status

Ilioinguinal and iliohypogastric neuralgia are an under recognized cause of abdominal pain that can present after hernia surgery and result in disabling pain in the inguinal region. The incidence of chronic inguinal pain after hernia repair regardless of surgical technique ranges from 2-7%.

Ilioinguinal Neuropathy.

The purpose of this review is to present an overview of ilioinguinal (IL) neuralgia and evaluate the current literature. Treatment of IL neuralgia includes pharmacotherapies, perineural injections, radiofrequency ablation, cryoablation, neuromodulation, and neurectomy. The efficacy of these therapies varies considerably. IL neuralgia is a common pain disorder characterized by pain in the lower abdomen and upper thigh. While various modalities can be used in the treatment of IL neuralgia, the efficacy of these modalities is at times limited. Dorsal root ganglion stimulation exhibits promise in the treatment of IL neuralgia. More research is needed to better address the needs of patients suffering from this disorder.

Diagnosis of Ilioinguinal Nerve Injury Based on Electromyography and Ultrasonography: A Case Report.

Being located in the hypogastric area, the ilioinguinal nerve, together with iliohypogastric nerve, can be damaged during lower abdominal surgeries. Conventionally, the diagnosis of ilioinguinal neuropathy relies on clinical assessments, and standardized diagnostic methods have not been established as of yet. We hereby report the case of young man who presented ilioinguinal neuralgia with symptoms of burning pain in the right groin and scrotum shortly after receiving inguinal herniorrhaphy. To raise the diagnostic certainty, we used a real-time ultrasonography (US) to guide a monopolar electromyography needle to the ilioinguinal nerve, and then performed a motor conduction study. A subsequent US-guided ilioinguinal nerve block resulted in complete resolution of the patient's neuralgic symptoms.

Sandwich technique, peripheral nerve stimulation, peripheral field stimulation and hybrid stimulation for inguinal region and genital pain

Objective: Ilioinguinal neuralgia (IG) and genitofemoral (GF) neuralgia following inguinal hernia repair is a chronic and debilitating neuropathic condition. Recently, peripheral nerve stimulation has become an effective and minimally invasive option for the treatment of refractory pain. Here we present a retrospective case series of six patients who underwent placement of peripheral nerve stimulation electrodes using various techniques for treatment of refractory post-intervention inguinal region pain.Methods: Six patients with post-intervention inguinal, femoral or GF neuropathic pain were evaluated for surgery. Either octopolar percutaneous electrodes or combination of paddle and percutaneous electrodes were implanted in the area of their pain. Pain visual analog scores (VAS), surgical complication rate, preoperative symptom duration, degree of pain relief, preoperative and postoperative work status, postoperative changes in medication usage, and overall degree of satisfaction with this therapy was assessed.Results: All six patients had an average improvement of 62% in the immediate post-operative follow-up. Four patients underwent stimulation for IG, one for femoral neuralgia, and another for GF neuralgia. Peripheral nerve stimulation provided at least 50% pain relief in all the six patients with post-intervention inguinal region pain. 85% of patients indicated they were completely satisfied with the therapy overall. There was one treatment failure with an acceptable complication rate.Conclusion: Peripheral nerve or field stimulation for post-intervention inguinal region pain is a safe and effective treatment for this refractory and complex problem for patients who have exhausted other management options.

The Diagnostic Dilemma of a Genitofemoral-ilioinguinal Overlap Syndrome

Background: It is sometimes difficult to clinically delineate genitofemoral and ilioinguinal neuralgias because of the overlap in the clinical symptomatology. Case description: A young male with a past history of transurethral removal of ureteral calculi presented with severe, debilitating neuropathic pain in the groin. He had hyperpathia and allodynia in the distribution of genitofemoral nerve, and hence a clinical diagnosis of genitofemoral neuralgia was made. An ultrasound guided diagnostic block of the genitofemoral nerve with local anesthetic produced only a mild reduction in pain (VAS 2 reduction). A repeat diagnostic block of the ilioinguinal nerve produced complete resolution of pain. Literature search showed a limited number of case reports of ultrasound guided blocks for genitofemoral neuralgia; and overlap syndromes have been addressed with differential nerve blocks. Clinical relevance: Our hypothesis is that an aberrant reinnervation from the ilioinguinal to genitofemoral nerve may present with features favoring a genitofemoral neuralgia. In situations where radiofrequency treatment is being considered, such cases may pose a failed intervention if both nerves are not separately targeted.

Reoperation for persistent pain after groin hernia surgery: a population-based study.

The aim of the present study was to assess the outcome results after reoperation for persistent pain after hernia surgery in a population-based setting. All patients who had undergone surgery for persistent pain after previous groin hernia surgery 1999-2006 were identified in the Swedish Hernia Register (n = 237). Data on the surgical technique used were abstracted from the medical records. The patients were asked to answer a set of questions including SF-36 to evaluate the prevalence of pain after reoperation. The study group consisted of 95 males and 16 females, mean age 53 years. In 27 % of cases an intervention aimed at suspected ilioinguinal neuralgia was performed. The mesh was removed completely in 28% and partially in 13%. A suture at the pubic tubercle was removed in 13% of cases. Decrease in pain after the most recent reoperation was reported by 69 patients (62%), no change in pain by 21 patients (19%) and increase in pain in 21 patients (19%). There was no significant difference in outcome between mesh removal, removal of sutures at the tubercle or interventions aimed at the ilioinguinal nerve. All subscales of SF-36 were significantly reduced when compared to the age- and gender-matched general population (p < 0.05). Patients reoperated for persistent pain after hernia surgery often report a reduction in pain, but the natural course of persistent pain, the relatively low response rate and selection of patients make it difficult to draw definite conclusions.

Ultrasound-guided pulsed radiofrequency treatment for ilioinguinal neuralgia

Nguyen, T. K.H.; Van Bets, B.; Puylaert, M.; Vanelderen, P.; Heylen, R.; Mestrum, R. Author Information

Permanent Implantation of Peripheral Nerve Stimulator for Combat Injury-related Ilioinguinal Neuralgia

A peripheral nerve stimulator (PNS) can be an alternative for long-term pain relief refractory to conventional therapeutic modalities. We present a case of chronic incapacitating ilioinguinal neuralgia, which was successfully managed with permanent implantation of a peripheral nerve stimulator. A 26-year-old active duty African American man was referred to the University Pain Clinic with left ilioinguinal neuralgia due to shrapnel injury during his military service 6 years prior to his visit. Most of the shrapnel were surgically removed, but the patient subsequently developed left lower abdominal pain. Multiple surgeries, including inguinal herniorrhaphy, varicocelectomy, and orchiectomy, failed to provide satisfactory relief of his neuralgia. Other therapies tried resulting in limited outcomes were multiple ilioinguinal nerve blocks and cryoanalgesia. A trial of PNS was successful and the implantation of permanent leads was carried out. At his 3-month visit, the patient reported to have minimal pain, was tapered off oral analgesics, was able to return to work, and had resumed his normal daily activities. Recent technological advances in programming software and surgical techniques have led to renewed interest in PNS for the treatment of chronic refractory peripheral nerve injury. Despite our limited understanding of its exact mechanism of action, it can be considered as a therapeutic potential for a few carefully selected, intractable cases. Its minimally invasive and reversible features make PNS a favorable option for these patients. The stringent and rigorous screening procedures for suitable candidacy, documentation of previously failed treatments, psychiatric evaluation, and 3–5 days of preplacement trial, improve the success rate. Key words: Neuralgia, ilioinguinal, trauma, peripeheral nerve stimulator

Management of medically intractable genitofemoral and ilioingunal neuralgia

To evaluate the effectiveness of invasive procedures in medically intractable genitofemoral and ilioingunal neuralgia. This is a prospective study of 20 patients with genitofemoral and ilioinguinal neuralgias who were treated at our medical center between 2007 and 2011. Genitofemoral and ilioinguinal nerve blocks were performed in all cases after medical treatment had failed to alleviate the patients' pain. Neurectomy was performed for the patients whose pain did not improve. Patient histories, physical examinations and visual analogue scale scores before and after treatments were analyzed. Fourteen (70%) of the patients were treated with nerve blocks and six (30%) of the patients whose pain did not improve with nerve block application underwent neurectomy which resulted in pain relief. For patients with medically intractable genitofemoral and ilioinguinal neuralgias, nerve blocks and neurectomies can be applied safely for pain control.

Long-term outcome following ilioinguinal neurectomy for chronic pain

Ilioinguinal neuralgia is one cause of chronic groin pain following inguinal hernia repair, and it affects approximately 10% of patients. Selective ilioinguinal neurectomy is one proposed treatment option for carefully selected patients. The goal of this study was to determine the long-term outcome of patients who underwent selective ilioinguinal neurectomy for chronic post-hernia pain. The authors retrospectively reviewed the clinical assessment, surgical treatment, and long-term outcome in 26 patients with ilioinguinal neuralgia who underwent selective ilioinguinal neurectomy performed by the senior author (K.J.B.) at Oregon Health & Science University between 1998 and 2008. Data were collected from patient charts and a follow-up telephone questionnaire. Twenty-six patients (14 men and 12 women) had a clinical diagnosis of ilioinguinal neuralgia based on a history of radiating neuropathic groin, medial thigh, and genitalia pain. One patient had bilateral disease (therefore there were 27 surgical cases). A selective nerve block was performed in 21 (81%) of 26 patients and was positive in 20 (77%) of the 26. In all but 2 patients, pain onset followed abdominal surgery (for hernia repair in 18 patients), and was immediate in 16 (67%) of 24 patients. The mean patient age was 48.7 years, and the mean duration of pain prior to neurosurgical consultation was 3.9 years. Surgery was performed after induction of local or general anesthesia in 17 and 10 cases, respectively. The ilioinguinal nerve was identified in 25 cases, and the genitofemoral nerve in 2, either entrapped in mesh, scar, or with obvious neuroma (22 of 27 cases). The identified nerve was doubly ligated, cut, and buried in muscle at its most proximal point. At the 2-week follow-up evaluations, 14 (74%) of 19 patients noted definite pain improvement. Nineteen (73%) of the 26 patients were contacted by telephone and agreed to participate in completing long-term follow-up questionnaires. The mean follow-up duration was 34.78 months. Return of pain was reported by 13 (68%) of 19 patients. Using a verbal numerical rating scale (0-10), pain was completely relieved in 27.8%, better in 38.9%, no better in 16.7%, and worse in 16.7% of patients. Ilioinguinal neurectomy is an effective and appropriate treatment for selected patients with iatrogenic ilioinguinal neuralgia following abdominal surgery. Although a high proportion of patients reported some long-term recurrence of pain, complete or partial pain relief was achieved in 66.7% of the patients observed.

SURGICAL MANAGEMENT OF THE PELVIC PLEXUS AND LOWER ABDOMINAL NERVES

Nerves of the pelvic plexus and lower abdominal wall can lead to chronic neuralgias owing to a variety of causes, including iatrogenic injury, trauma, tumors, and primary nerve entrapment. Differentiating among the various neural etiologies can be a challenging task. Here, we present a large series of patients who underwent surgical treatment of these nerves, with an emphasis on diagnostic and therapeutic considerations. Between 1970 and 2006, the senior authors (DGK and DHK) surgically treated 264 cases of neuralgia of the pelvic plexus and nerves. A retrospective analysis of the patients' history, physical, diagnostic examinations, and follow-up was performed. Twenty-five cases of solely ilioinguinal neuralgia and 24 cases of combined ilioinguinal neuralgias were treated. Of these, iatrogenic injury was the most common etiology. One hundred forty-five patients underwent surgical exploration for either femoral nerve injury (119 patients) or lateral femoral cutaneous compression (26 patients). Seventy-five percent of patients had femoral nerve injuries attributable to trauma (iatrogenic versus penetrating injuries), and the remaining 25% of patients had cystic masses or tumors. Fifty-two masses of the pelvic plexus were treated, including neurofibromas (68%), schwannomas (18%), malignant nerve sheath tumors (5%), and non-neural sheath tumors (9%). Effective surgical management of these complex neuralgias depends on a solid understanding of the surgical anatomy and proper diagnosis. Electromyography and local anesthetic blocks not only can provide insight into the diagnosis but also have predictive value in assessing which patients may benefit from neurectomy or neurolysis.

Facilitation of Percutaneous Trial Lead Placement with Ultrasound Guidance for Peripheral Nerve Stimulation Trial of Ilioinguinal Neuralgia: A Technical Note

Introduction. Peripheral nerve stimulation (PNS) has been used for many years to treat neuropathic pain syndromes. Technical advances in neurostimulation hardware have led to a renewed interest in the use of PNS for control of intractable pain caused by peripheral mononeuropathies. One such application includes intractable groin pain. This study identified two patients with chronic groin pain, secondary to trauma, referred for interventional pain management. For each patient, PNS trial was attempted using ultrasound guided localization of the inguinal nerve. Direct sonographic visualization of the inguinal nerve has been used in other studies to facilitate regional anesthesia, but to our knowledge, no studies have used this technique for localization of nerves for percutaneous lead placement for PNS. Methods. Each patient was chosen to undergo trial stimulation using percutaneously placed peripheral nerve stimulator leads. In these two cases, both patients presented with similar complaints of chronic groin pain consistent with ilioinguinal neuralgia. Both underwent multiple previous nerve blocks, all of which gave good but transient relief using traditional block techniques. Both patients were trialed on multiple medications, which either gave incomplete relief of pain or were limited by side-effects. Results. Both patients had relatively easy localization of ilioinguinal nerves affected using ultrasound and were provided with stimulating paresthesias which covered their normal pain. Discussion. The successful use of ultrasound as described in these two cases suggests an important role for ultrasound in localization of targeted nerves in percutaneous trial stimulation of injured peripheral nerve. The use of ultrasound may also play a role in permanent lead placement as well. Conclusion. More studies are needed to further qualify the role of ultrasound in isolating peripheral nerves, but the success of trial stimulation in these two cases holds promise for continued advancements in the field of neuromodulation.

Surgical Management of Inguinal Neuralgia After a Low Transverse Pfannenstiel Incision

The authors assessed the long-term pain relief after local nerve blocks or neurectomy in patients suffering from chronic pain because of Pfannenstiel-induced nerve entrapment. The low transverse Pfannenstiel incision has been associated with chronic lower abdominal pain because of nerve entrapment (2%-4%). Treatment options include peripheral nerve blocks or a neurectomy of neighboring nerves. Knowledge on adequate (surgical) management is scarce. Patients treated for iliohypogastric and/or ilioinguinal neuralgia after a Pfannenstiel incision received a questionnaire assessing current pain intensity (by 5-point verbal rating scale), complications, and overall satisfaction. Twenty-seven women with Pfannenstiel-related neuralgia were identified between 2000 and 2007. A single diagnostic nerve block provided long-term pain relief in 5 patients. Satisfaction in women undergoing neurectomy (n = 22) was good to excellent in 73%, moderate in 14%, and poor in 13% (median follow-up, 2 years). Complications were rare. Successful treatment improved intercourse-related pain in most patients. Comorbidities (endometriosis, lumbosacral radicular syndrome) and earlier pain treatment were identified as risk factors for surgical failure. Peripheral nerve blocking provides long-term pain reduction in some individuals. An iliohypogastric or ilioinguinal nerve neurectomy is a safe and effective procedure in most remaining patients.

Ultrasound‐guided serial ilioinguinal nerve blocks for management of chronic groin pain secondary to ilioinguinal neuralgia in adolescents

We examined the efficacy of serial ilioinguinal nerve blocks using ultrasound guidance for management of chronic inguinal pain secondary to persistent ilioinguinal neuralgia in adolescents. This case series consists of two adolescents who had persistent inguinal pain secondary to ilioinguinal neuralgia who were treated with conventional pain medications that did not relieve the pain. One patient had pain immediately following surgery while the other had pain several months after an injury. Serial ilioinguinal nerve blocks were performed with local anesthetic solution using ultrasound guidance in an outpatient setting. Both the adolescents had complete relief of pain symptoms and were able to resume normal activities. There were no adverse effects associated with the blocks. Performance of serial ilioinguinal nerve blocks using ultrasonography in an outpatient setting in adolescents and adolescents with ilioinguinal neuralgia may reduce pain and allow these adolescents to resume their normal activities.

On the Therapeutic Viability of Peripheral Nerve Stimulation for Ilioinguinal Neuralgia: Putative Mechanisms and Possible Utility

Injury to the ilioinguinal nerve commonly follows during lower abdominal and pelvic surgery, especially with inguinal hernia repair, appendectomy, and hysterectomy. Other potential causes include low abdominal blunt trauma, iliac crest bone graft, psoas abscess, Pott's disease, and prolonged wearing of abdominally constrictive clothing. The actual incidence of ilioinguinal neuralgia is uncertain, as reported percentage ranges between 12% and 62%. Prompt and accurate diagnosis is critical, and appropriate treatments range from conservative pharmacologic management with nonopioid (eg, gabapentin, topiramate) as well as opioid agents, to surgical neurectomy of the proximal portion of the ilioinguinal nerve. Pharmacological treatment is frequently unsuccessful (particularly if delayed) and while surgery is successful in approximately 73% of cases, it can result in problematic paresthesias, and pain may continue to persist in some patients. Thus, minimally invasive techniques, such as peripheral nerve stimulation, may be viable in those patients who are refractory to pharmacological management, as an option to surgery, and who have not gained satisfactory pain relief through surgical intervention. We present three cases of successful pain control of ilioinguinal neuralgia with peripheral nerve stimulation. These cases demonstrate the potential benefits of neurostimulation including durable effective pain relief and decreased use of medication. Putative mechanisms of effect(s) and caveats for continued research to inform prudent employment of this technique are presented.

Surgical Management of 33 Ilioinguinal and Iliohypogastric Neuralgias at Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center

Surgical Management of 33 Ilioinguinal and Iliohypogastric Neuralgias at Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center

Surgical Management of 33 Ilioinguinal and Iliohypogastric Neuralgias at Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center

This is a retrospective review of 33 charts of patients with ilioinguinal and iliohypogastric neuralgias who underwent a neurectomy at Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center between 1967 and 2000. Operations associated with neuralgias and postoperative pain outcomes were analyzed. There were 23 ilioinguinal and 10 combined ilioinguinal-iliohypogastric neuralgias, and the side of the lesion and sex of the patient were found to be evenly distributed in this group. Nerve blocks must have resulted in a complete or substantial decrease in pain before a neurectomy was recommended. Twenty-nine (88%) of 33 neuralgia patients had injuries from iatrogenic causes, and 4 (12%) injuries were caused by blunt trauma. In the 23 isolated ilioinguinal neuralgias, the operation associated with neuralgias in 13 (57%) of 23 patients was a herniorrhaphy. This was followed by 4 (17%) neuralgias after an appendectomy and 3 (13%) after a hysterectomy. Three (13%) patients had neuralgias resulting from blunt trauma. Nine (90%) of 10 ilioinguinal-iliohypogastric lesions were caused by iatrogenic causes, and 1 (10%) neuralgia resulted from blunt trauma. A neurectomy was performed in all patients. The neurectomy resulted in considerable pain relief in 21 (91%) of 23 patients with ilioinguinal lesions and 9 (90%) of 10 patients with ilioinguinal-iliohypogastric lesions. Postoperative side effects were persistent numbness below the resected nerve and loss of the cremasteric reflex. Minor postoperative complications consisted of two superficial skin infections. Ilioinguinal and ilioinguinal-iliohypogastric neuralgias are infrequent conditions; however, 33 patients from the Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center were accrued and analyzed in this study, and most had significant pain relief after neurectomy.

Surgical options in the treatmentof sports hernia

Groin injuries in athletes are seen with increasing frequency. The insidious onset of groin pain in professional athletes may be caused by a range of musculoskeletal conditions and injuries. The diagnosis of occult or hernia must be considered in athletes who do not respond to conservative treatment modalities directed at these entities. A review of diagnostic workup and presenting symptomatology is given. In addition, a retrospective literature review of the surgical treatment of sports hernias is presented, including the lead author's personal experience with laparoscopic hernia repair. Comparison is made between operative findings, surgical techniques, and long-term results. Although length of recovery and return to activity varied from series to series, laparoscopic hernia repair provided the quickest return to full, unrestricted athletic activity in 4 weeks or less. Laparoscopic preperitoneal hernia repair should be considered as a treatment modality in athletes presenting with chronic groin pain. Groin injuries in athletes are seen with increasing frequency. Estimates suggest that 5% of all sports injuries occur in the groin. It has been postulated that such injuries are more common from sports that require repetitive fast twisting and turning movements (eg, soccer and hockey). I Injuries to the adductor longus, iliopsoas, and rectus femoris muscles are the most common causes of groin pain in athletes. Other causes of groin pain include ilioinguinal neuralgia, osteitis pubis, genitourinary sources (prostatitis, epididymitis, urethritis, hydrocele), bursitis, arthritis of the hip, and sports hernias. Sports hernias can best be described as incompetence of the abdominal wall musculature in the absence of a clinically detectable hernia bulge. The prevalence of such hernias found at surgical exploration in athletes with chronic groin pain is reported to be as high as 80%. 2,3 However, since up to 50% of these athletes have an occult hernia in the contralateral groin, the presence of a hernia does not necessarily correlate with symptoms. 4

Lumbar and Sacral Nerve Root Stimulation (NRS) in the Treatment of Chronic Pain: A Novel Anatomic Approach and Neuro Stimulation Technique

Objective. The conventional technique used to stimulate the lumbar dermatomes is by stimulation of the dorsal columns of the spinal cord. Until recently, stimulation of nerve roots had not been successfully accomplished. We had performed selective nerve root cannulations for the placement of temporary catheters at cervical, thoracic, lumbar, and sacral levels in chronic pain patients using a caudad rather than craniad approach. We hypothesized that by stimulating the nerve roots we could improve paresthesia coverage in areas which cannot be covered effectively by spinal cord stimulation (SCS). To test this hypothesis, we have performed trials of nerve root stimulation (NRS) in patients who had failed SCS, or who were not candidates for SCS because their pain was otherwise inaccessible to stimulation. Methods. Five patients who had been unresponsive to conservative treatment, surgery, or SCS underwent 7-day trials with NRS. The diagnoses included: ilioinguinal neuralgia, discogenic low back pain, failed back syndrome, vulvodynia, and interstitial cystitis. We collected paresthesia maps, pain maps, pain visual analog scale (VAS) scores, and patient satisfaction ratings. Results. Paresthesia coverage was above 75% in all patients. VAS scores declined from a mean of 9 ± 1.0 to 2.4 ± 2.1 (p < 0.05, n= 5), all 5 patients requested permanent implantation, and 4 have been implanted so far. Conclusions. Lumbar and sacral NRS trials resulted in adequate paresthesia coverage and effective pain relief in all 5 patients. Further clinical trials to evaluate long-term success rates and safety are indicated. Detailed mapping studies are needed to evaluate the relationship between electrode placement and paresthesia patterns as well as the optimal stimulation parameters.