Summary
Circumscribed unilateral paralysis of abdominal muscles is a rare clinical feature and has previously been described in diabetic neuropathies and traumatic or non-traumatic compressive neuropathies. The paper describes a case presenting with transversus abdominis muscle paralysis and burning paraesthesia in the anterolateral aspect of the thigh caused by a lateral L2-L3 disc herniation. Abdominal echography and the EMG investigation led to the suspicion of a disc prolapse which was eventually verified by myelography completed with a CT scan. Surgery confirmed L2 root compression by a large calcified herniation in the intervertebral foramen L2-L3. The anatomical principles are recalled to explain the clinical manifestations.
Similar content being viewed by others
References
Billet FPJ, Ponssen H, Veenhuizen D (1989) Unilateral paresis of the abdominal wall: a radicular syndrome caused by herniation of the L1-L2 disc?. J Neurol Neurosurg Psychiatry 2: 678
Moore KL (1982) Clinically Oriented Anatomy. William and Wilkins, Baltimore, p 268
Mumenthaler M, Schliack H (1982) Lasionen Peripherer Nerven, IVth Ed. George Thieme Verlag, Stuttgart, pp 272–275
Parry GJ, Floberg J (1989) Diabetic truncal neuropathy presenting as abdominal hernia. Neurology 39: 1488–1490
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Bartolomei, L., Carbonin, C., Cagnin, G. et al. Unilateral swelling of the lower abdominal wall. Acta neurochir 117, 78–79 (1992). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01400642
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01400642