Superior Cluneal Nerve Entrapment Eight Years after Decubitus Surgery

• Published in: Pain practice Vol. 5; no. 4; pp. 364 - 366
• Main Authors: Akbas, Mert, Yegin, Arif, Karsli, Bilge
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Oxford, UK and Malden, USA Blackwell Science Inc 01-12-2005
• Subjects: cluneal nerve; decubitus surgery; diagnosis
• ISSN: 1530-7085; 1533-2500
• DOI: 10.1111/j.1533-2500.2005.00040.x

Background and Objective:  Superior cluneal nerve (SCN) entrapment is one of the infrequent etiologies of low back pain (LBP), which is rarely diagnosed. Few clinical reports have been published in the literature. We present a case of severe LBP radiating to the ipsilateral buttock after decubitus surgery.
Case Report:  A 62‐year‐old man weighing 85 kg presented to the algology department, suffering from severe LBP of 6 months duration. The pain was in the right iliac crest region with radiation to the ipsilateral buttock. After admission, his history was taken, physical examination was performed, and further evaluations were made. He was suspected of having facet and right sacroiliac joint pain. Two tender points were found 6.5 and 7.5 cm to the right of the midline over the iliac crest. Local anesthetic with corticosteroid was injected at the tender points over the right iliac crest. Five minutes after the injection, the pain dissipated.
Conclusion:  SCN entrapment should be considered in patients who suffer from LBP radiating to the iliac crest and buttock after other causes of LBP have been excluded.