Sciatic Nerve enlargement

[Darrenz]

Hello,
My son, Darren (11 yo) has been suffering from left feet drop.
So far, We did MRI twice and it showed the enlargement of sciatic nerve(left)but the doctors couldnt tell why it happened  
Some specialists thought it could be Dejerin-Sottas desease. We did gerenal blood test(not specific for the DS)and spine fluid examination which both didnt show any abnormal.We even had Darren done the Pet-CT scan and doctors still couldnt find out what exactly diseasehe has, they said it might be possible a kind of tumor or inflamation (inflammation).
Darren's problem begins approximately 2 years ago, and it progressive since discovered. At beginning it was slight weakness in left feet, and after some time it become more serious problem. His left feet can't stay straight and he unable to control toes. Now he has suffering of walking difficulty. But since this problem begin and until now he hasn't any feeling of pain from it.
As the doctors couldnt tell what exactly disease he has and any posissble way to cure in Austalia.so he didnt get any treatment so far.
We would be very appreciate any help  for Darren and attentions to this matter.
I have all the MRI photo and report, Emg, pet-ct scan report if you need for your reference.
Please contact me with any information and suggestions that can be useful.
We need any help in urgent, as his problem progressive rapidly and in past 6 month get much worse than in previous year.

Thank you!!
Su
Please contact us at: ***@****

[CCF-Neuro-M.D.-PW]

Unfortunately I cannot give a clinical diagnosis or review images etc over the internet

The list of causes of hypertrophied or swollen nerves includes hereditary such as CMT, refsums disease, familial amyloid. There are several genetic subtypes of CMt, and specific genetic testing is available for some of them, it would be unusual though that only one nerve is affected

Acquired nerve hypoertrophy can be due to infiltration by a tumor, or granuloma (such as sarcoid, amyloid), a surrounding plexiform neurofibroma or the transformation of a neurofibroma into a sarcoma or malignant nerve sheath tumor, some infectious conditions such as leprosy, some parasitic infections, some metabolic disease such as acromegaly. There is a relatively benign hypoertrophy that affects one nerve of young adults called 'localized hypoertrophic neuropathy'. He should be evaluated for neurofibromatosis carefully - looking for skin lesions with a woods lamp, an ophthalmological examination for lisch nodules in the eye etc. The progressive nature may warrant a nerve biopsy if not already done to ruleout a malignant process.

If no-one can come up with a diagnosis (which is critical in terms of finding any form of treatment) in Australasia - then perhaps you would consider coming to the US for an evaluation - several largecenters including the Clevland Clinic can provide a fast track international patient evaluation with the appropiate specialists. The main drawback is that this is expensive. Contact the international center at the Cleveland Clinc if you are interested. Dr. Neil Friedman is our pediatric neuromuscular specialist.

[jack60]

If the sciatic nerve is a problem, your son must have some pain either in his her lower back, groins, side of his upper legs, knees and down to the feet.   If he does, it may be that the sciatic nerve(s) are pinched in his lower back than you need to see an Osteopath for help.

Good Luck

[Darrenz]

Thank you for your reply.
Darren adnt has any serious injury in his leg or buttock since he was born, even he has suffering foot drop at the moment, he isn't feeling any pain from his leg and spine. just felt very tired and  weakness when walking in some distance.
some doctors said he might has sciatic nerve inflamation (inflammation). I would like to know if thats the problem, what is the symptoms for sciatic nerve inflamation (inflammation)? should he feel pain and has temperature? can anyone provide some informations please?

[er_gyrl]

I am really saddend to hear about the situation with your son,,,very scarey I bet....If this was a problem coming from his back a MRI or CT scan should have shown if the spine is the reason for the inflammation....Not everyone ccan have pain with Sciatic nerve.....I have had problems with my back for two years now, had surgery in Nov04...my sciatica at times was VERY painful but at other times very suddle with just numbness in my leg or foot or a weird type of burning sensation...I think that if a MRI or Ct scan has NOT been done to look for a disc/back problem then maybe that might be an idea...Has he been to any therapists to see if he would be able to strengthen his muscles etc?? Also, he didn't have to have "hurt" himself to have injured his back it could be something congenital...When they did my surgery they found that 2 of my nerves were conjoined that they had to separate...they did not know they were there B4 surgery..

Anyways, keep in touch and let me know how he is doing and if you have come to a conclusion...

GOOD LUCK!!

[Pat1026]

A related discussion, My C5-C7 are noticing my nerves on the left side. This has caused my nerve to my heart to be enlarged. What kind of problem to my heart could this cause? What is the solution. They also believe I will need a fusion with my C6 and C7. was started.