Pudendal nerve entrapment: diagnostic criteria (Nantes criteria)

摘要

abstract_textpThe diagnosis of pudendal nerve entrapment is largely clinical, and, although there are no definitive clinical or paraclinical signs, an array of clinical arguments makes the diagnosis possible. An expert group has validated diagnostic criteria (Nantes criteria), of which the key criteria are: pain located in the anatomical area of the pudendal nerve; exacerbation of pain in the seated position; no nocturnal pain; and no objective hypoesthesia on clinical examination, but positive anesthetic block of the pudendal nerve trunk. Other clinical factors can suggest pudendal nerve entrapment. In addition, we have developed exclusion criteria: pain limited to the coccyx, buttocks, or hypogastric region; exclusively paroxystic pain; pruritus; radiological evidence that could explain the symptoms. Pudendal neuralgia could be typical, but sometimes unclear because of associated signs and symptoms suggesting peripheral and central hypersensitivity reactions that have neuropathic, muscular or autonomic nervous system expression./p/abstract_text