Labat et al state that "there are no specific clinical signs or complementary test results of this disease". Kaur et al confirm that there are no specific and consistent radiological findings in patients with<unk> . Diagnostic tests that can be performed to suggest<unk>  are: *<unk>  nerve blocks to confirm the<unk>  nerve is the source of pain through relief from the procedure. These diagnostic blocks can also be used in place of spinal anesthesia during delivery. * Quantitative sensory threshold testing to detect the inability to sense temperature changes. * High-frequency ultrasonography to identify the location of<unk>  nerve compression. * Doppler ultra sound to detect vein compression, a result of nerve compression. *<unk>  nerve terminal motor latency test, an invasive diagnostic test that involves a rectal or vaginal exam. Diagnoses are made through neurophysiological testing rather than imaging. However, MRI and CT imaging may be used to exclude other diagnoses. Similar to a tinel sign digital palpation of the ischial spine may produce pain. In contrast, people may report temporary relief with a diagnostic<unk>  nerve block (see Injections), typically infiltrated near the ischial spine. It is important to note that the duration of pain relief from<unk>  nerve block is different per person. Imaging studies using MR neurography may be useful. In people with unilateral<unk><unk>  in the Alcock's canal, it is typical to see asymmetric swelling and hyperintensity affecting the<unk>  neurovascular bundle. Nantes Criteria<unk>  is difficult to diagnose and there are no specific exams that can clearly confirm the diagnosis. Dr Roger Robert postulated the "Nantes Criteria" to serve as a guide to physicians in diagnosing<unk> . It consists of inclusions, exclusions, and complementary characteristics of the syndrome. Some sources discourage the use of this guide due to errors found in the criteria. Inclusion criteria include * Pain is anatomically associated with the<unk>  nerve * Pain is mainly experienced when in a sitting position * Pain does not cause nocturnal awakenings * Sensory function is intact *<unk>  nerve block diagnostic test results in pain relief Exclusion criteria include * Imaging results used for exclusion *Unilateral pain *Abnormal diagnostic test results *Pain is acute Complementary criteria include * Nerve pain associated with extreme sensitivity to touch * Described as burning/shooting pain * Posterior pain following defecation A systematic review by Indraccolo et al analyzed PN due to<unk><unk>  and PN without<unk><unk>  in women with chronic pelvic-perianal pain. The review classified the Nantes' criteria as the gold standard for diagnosing PN secondary to<unk> . Because of this, the authors of the systematic review additionally suggest that the criteria may be useful in assessing the efficacy and effectiveness of the<unk>  treatments that people may undergo. Differential diagnosis Differential diagnosis should consider the far commoner conditions chronic prostatitis/chronic pelvic pain syndrome and interstitial cystitis. Other causes for similar symptoms of<unk>  include compression from a tumor, prostatitis in males, uterine diseases in females, complex regional pain syndrome (CRPS), superficial skin infections, and other neuropathies that share the same region as the<unk>  nerve.
Pudendal nerve entrapment
Nerve compression syndrome
Radiation-induced lumbar plexopathy
Peroneal nerve paralysis
Accessory nerve disorder
Urethral stricture
Median nerve palsy
Post-vasectomy pain syndrome