[Tumor involving the sciatic nerve: neurinoma or neurofibroma? Can MRI make the difference?]

Pan Afr Med J. 2019 Jul 23:33:242. doi: 10.11604/pamj.2019.33.242.18200. eCollection 2019.
[Article in French]

Abstract

The sciatic nerve is the terminal branch of the sacral plexus. Sciatalgia is a nerve root pain. In most cases, sciatica originates from degenerative disc disease. Tumor involving the sciatic nerve is extremely rare. We here report the case of a 33-year old patient with nerve tumor detected on MRI performed for drug-resistant sciatica. Tumor involving the sciatic nerve is rare and diagnosis is difficult. MRI data are crucial for establishing an effective surgical approach.

Le nerf sciatique est la branche terminale du plexus sacré. La sciatalgie traduit une souffrance des racines nerveuses. La sciatique relève le plus souvent de l'origine dégénérative discale, la pathologie tumorale reste exceptionnelle. Il s'agit d'une tumeur nerveuse, révélée par un syndrome sciatique rebelle au traitement, diagnostiquée à l'IRM, chez un patient de 33 ans. La pathologie tumorale du nerf sciatique est rare, de diagnostic difficile. Les informations fournies par l'IRM sont cruciales car elles conditionnent l'approche chirurgicale.

Keywords: MRI; Sciatic nerve; nerve tumor; neurinoma; neurofibroma.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Diagnosis, Differential
  • Humans
  • Magnetic Resonance Imaging / methods*
  • Male
  • Neurilemmoma / diagnostic imaging*
  • Neurofibroma / diagnostic imaging*
  • Sciatic Nerve / diagnostic imaging*
  • Sciatic Nerve / pathology
  • Sciatica / diagnosis