Catamenial mononeuropathy and radiculopathy: a treatable neuropathic disorder

Eric L. Zager, E L Zager, Samantha M. Pfeifer, S M Pfeifer, M J Brown, Michael H. Torosian, M H Torosian, D B Hackney
Journal of neurosurgery · 1998 · vol. 88(5) , pp. 827–830 · doi:10.3171/jns.1998.88.5.0827 · W2150292838
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⚙ AI-generated summary by claude@2026-06, 2026-06-08 ⓘ

This study examined five women with endometriosis-related lower-extremity neuropathies and radiculopathies, finding that hormonal therapy effectively treated symptoms while surgical intervention was reserved for refractory cases.

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Abstract

Object. The aim of this study was to investigate the indications and treatment options in patients with lower-extremity neuropathies and radiculopathies caused by endometriosis. Methods. The authors identified five patients whose symptoms included catamenial pain, weakness, and sensory loss involving the sciatic and femoral nerves and multiple lumbosacral nerve roots. Radiographic studies supported the diagnosis of catamenial neuropathy or radiculopathy, but definitive diagnosis depended on surgical and pathological examination. Treatment of symptoms, including physical therapy and a course of antiinflammatory or analgesic medication, was not helpful. Patients responded favorably to hormonal therapy. Laparoscopy or open exploration for extrapelvic lesions was performed for diagnosis or for treatment when hormone therapy failed. Pain and sensory symptoms responded well to therapy. Weakness improved, but never recovered completely. Conclusions. Catamenial neuropathy or radiculopathy should be considered when evaluating reproductive-age women with recurring focal neuropathic leg pain, weakness, and sensory loss.

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Condition tags

mesh:D004715endometriosis

MeSH descriptors

Endometriosis Muscular Diseases Sciatica Spinal Nerve Roots Thigh Thigh Adult Analgesics Analgesics Anti-Inflammatory Agents Anti-Inflammatory Agents Antineoplastic Agents, Hormonal Antineoplastic Agents, Hormonal Endometriosis Female Femoral Nerve Femoral Nerve Humans Hypesthesia Hypesthesia

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Papers in the corpus that this work cites (lower rings, blue) and that cite this one (upper rings, green). Dot size scales with the paper's in-corpus citation count — bigger dot = more influential within the endo/adeno field. Click a dot to open that paper. [ expand to 2 hops ] — adds papers reached through this work's immediate citers/citees. Heavier; up to 60 extra dots.

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Cited by (30)

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