Emine Çetin DURU, Sıdıka Büyükvural ŞEN, Burçak Çakır PEKÖZ, Burhan Fatih KOÇYİĞİT
Annals of Clinical and Analytical Medicine - 2026;17(6):622-626
Aim: The study aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of ultrasonographic measurements in diagnosing sciatic and peroneal nerve injuries among earthquake survivors suffering from unilateral drop foot, focusing on changes in the cross-sectional area (CSA) of these nerves. Methods: A study enrolled 22 patients with foot drop following traumatic injuries from the February 6, 2023, earthquakes in Türkiye. Data was collected, followed by ultrasonographic assessments of sciatic and peroneal nerves, pain intensity measured using the Visual Analog Scale (VAS), and neuropathic pain assessed using the Neuropathic Pain Questionnaire (NPQ). Results: The patient population, predominantly female (72.7%), had an average age of 29 +/- 15.8 years. The CSA of the sciatic and peroneal nerves was significantly larger on the affected side, with changes in peroneal nerve CSA greater in the lower extremities. Conclusion: Ultrasonography helps earthquake survivors detect peripheral nerve injuries early. The observed CSA enlargement suggests nerve edema contributes to post-disaster neurological deficits. Early assessment may impro ve functional outcomes and accelerate intervention.
