Electrophysiological evaluation of peripheral nerve injuries in Maras earthquake victims Peripheral nerve injuries in Maras earthquake

Aim: On February 6, 2023, the province of Maras province, in southern Turkey, was shaken by two destructive earthquakes measuring 7.7 and 7.6 degrees of the Richter scale, 8 hours apart. In earthquakes, peripheral nerve injuries (PNIs) frequently occur and cause significant long-term disability in surviving patients. This study aimed to analyzes the clinical, demographic, and electromyographic features of PNIs resulting from the Marashs earthquakes. Material and Methods: The first electrophysiological test results of 130 earthquake victims were recorded. Demographic and clinical characteristics of the patients, electrophysiological features of PNIs detected in each patient, and other accompanying musculoskeletal injuries were recorded. Results: The frequency of injuries was 98 (75.4%) peripheral nerves, 11 neural plexuses, four cervical radiculopathies, eight cauda equina lesions, three cranial neuropathies, and five entrapment neuropathies. The most frequently injured nerve was the sciatic nerve (46.2%); the second was the ulnar nerve (26.9%), followed by the median (18%) and radial nerves (18%). Combined PNIs were present in 36 (27.7%) patients. Discussion: PNIs are one of the most frequent injuries in earthquake victims. Prolonged compression, soft tissue injuries, bone fractures, compartment and Crush syndrome, and exposure of extremities to traction during rescueing have been observed as facilitating factors in earthquake-related PNIs.