ABSTRACT
Originally known as the Bernhardt-Roth syndrome, meralgia paresthetica (MP) is a condition caused by entrapment of the lateral femoral cutaneous nerve of the thigh, (Greeke: meros-thigh, algos-pain). It is a purely sensory branch with contributions from L2-L3 nerve roots and it enters to the thigh though the opening between the inguinal ligament and its attachment to the anterior iliac spine.
Hydatid disease (Greek for ‘watery cyst’) is an uncommon cause of peripheral nerve compression. Progressive neurological and mechanical deterioration over the years was the most frequently reported disease course.
We present a patient with MP caused by a large echinococcal cyst-mass, localized in the pelvis. A woman was admitted on to our hospital with chronic mild lower abdominal pain, severe constipation, which had lasted for about a month, and pain on the left thigh. The diagnosis after all (blood, serological and radiological tests) was an echinococcal large cystic mass (9cm x 4cm).
Total cystectomy was performed en block. Postoperatively there were significant improvement of constipation and completed resolve of femoral cutaneous nerve compression. The pain on the left thigh has disappeared.
Key words: Echinococcus cysts, meralgia paresthetica, antihelminthic, hydatid disease.