Selective MR neurography-guided anterior femoral cutaneous nerve blocks for diagnosing anterior thigh neuralgia: anatomy, technique, diagnostic performance, and patient-reported experiences

Objective: To evaluate the clinical utility of selective magnetic resonance neurography-(MRN)-guided anterior femoral cutaneous nerve (AFCN) blocks for diagnosing anterior thigh neuralgia. Materials and methods: Following institutional review board approval and informed consent, participants with intractable anterior thigh pain and clinically suspected AFCN neuralgia were included. AFCN blocks were performed under MRN guidance using an anterior groin approach along the medial sartorius muscle margin. Outcome variables included AFCN identification on MRN, technical success of perineural drug delivery, rate of AFCN anesthesia, complications, total procedure time, patient-reported procedural experiences, rate of positive diagnostic AFCN blocks, and positive subsequent treatment rate. Results: Eighteen MRN-guided AFCN blocks (six unilateral and six bilateral blocks) were performed in 12 participants (6 women; age, 49 (30–65) years). Successful MRN identified the AFCN, successful perineural drug delivery, and AFCN anesthesia was achieved in all thighs. No complications occurred. The total procedure time was 19 (10–28) min. Patient satisfaction and experience were high without adverse MRI effects. AFCN blocks identified the AFCN as the symptom generator in 16/18 (89%) cases, followed by 14/16 (88%) successful treatments. Conclusion: Our results suggest that selective MR neurography-guided AFCN blocks effectively diagnose anterior femoral cutaneous neuralgia and are well-tolerated.