261 Rare Peripheral Nerve Lesions - A Single Centre Experience

INTRODUCTION: Rare peripheral nerve lesions requiring surgery lack a clear definition in the literature, with classification varying between authors. There is no consensus on which lesions should be considered rare, though some studies define them as those not originating from the nerve sheath, such as ganglion nerve cysts and metastases. METHODS: A retrospective study was conducted, which included surgically treated peripheral nerve lesions, excluding traumatic and iatrogenic injuries, entrapments, peripheral nerve sheath tumors, and ganglion nerve cysts. Illustrative cases were selected and presented, highlighting diagnostic challenges, surgical outcomes, and postoperative quality of life. The results are compared with findings from the literature review, incorporating discussions on cases not encountered in our study. RESULTS: Metastatic lesions were the most frequently encountered cases, with only a few instances of endometriosis, ganglioneuroma, primary nerve lymphoma, liposarcoma, and hemangioblastoma. Diagnosing proved challenging in most cases. Surgical outcomes were inconsistent and unsatisfactory in most cases, with only a few experiencing improved quality of life, depending mostly on the type of lesion. Certain cases were complicated by post-irradiation-induced plexopathy, which added complexity to the surgical procedure. CONCLUSIONS: The results of this study highlight the diagnostic and surgical challenges of rare peripheral nerve lesions. Despite receiving timely surgical intervention, outcomes remain uncertain for the majority of cases. Further research and the expansion of knowledge in the literature are necessary to standardize the treatment of these patients, thereby ensuring optimal outcomes.