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Posttraumatic cicatricial sciatic nerve entrapment: dynamic imaging and percutaneous neurolysis

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Abstract

We describe a case of late-onset sciatic neuralgia due to cicatricial tethering of the sciatic nerve by a retracted torn hamstring muscle that was successfully treated with percutaneous neurolysis. Ultrasound and MRI showed a chronic complete avulsion of the proximal hamstring complex with fatty atrophy of the retracted hamstring muscles. Dynamic ultrasound and magnetic resonance imaging displayed tethering of the retracted hamstring complex to the sciatic nerve caused by cicatricial adhesions. Whereas hamstring injuries are highly prevalent sports injuries, there are only a small number of reported cases in the literature of late-onset sciatic nerve involvement. We highlight the benefits of dynamic ultrasound and magnetic resonance imaging and propose ultrasound-guided percutaneous neurolysis as a viable minimally invasive treatment option.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Radiology, St Paul’s Hospital, 1081 Burrard St, Vancouver, BC, Canada

    Cedric Bohyn, Snehansh Roy Chaudhary & Mark Cresswell

  2. Department of Radiology, AZ Monica, Antwerp, Belgium

    Cedric Bohyn

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  1. Cedric Bohyn
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  2. Snehansh Roy Chaudhary
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Bohyn, C., Chaudhary, S.R. & Cresswell, M. Posttraumatic cicatricial sciatic nerve entrapment: dynamic imaging and percutaneous neurolysis. Skeletal Radiol 51, 1889–1897 (2022). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00256-022-04015-7

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