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My MRN results: what do they mean?
Posted: Thu Aug 07, 2014 12:55 am
by Pudendalite
Hello I just got the results of my 3T MR Neurography of Lumbosacral Plexus. The test shows there is edema/inflammation of the pudendal nerves. The radiologist wrote "The bilateral pudendal nerves appear inflamed left greater than right as they course through the perineum, distal to alcock's canal". Can anyone explain what my test results mean? I would like to know the location of the nerve inflammation and have no idea where this is. Thanks!
Re: My MRN results: what do they mean?
Posted: Sat Aug 23, 2014 11:09 pm
by Violet M
Pudendalite, "distal" means in the direction away from the spine. If you go to the anatomy page of pudendalhope.org, you can find out where alcock's canal is.
http://www.pudendalhope.info/node/13
Distal to alcock's canal would be the nerves farther away from the spine than the main trunk of the nerve that goes through alcock's canal.
So it sounds like the nerves the radiologist is describing are the perineal branches of the pudendal nerve, not the main trunk of the nerve. Really I am surprised they can see that small of nerves on an MRI though. Based on what the PNE surgeons have said, you can't really rely on the 3T MRI for an accurate diagnosis of pudendal nerve entrapment.
Violet