Electromyographic Findings in Patients Referred to İzmir Tepecik Education and Research Hospital as a Remote Center Following the February 6, 2023 Earthquake 6 Şubat 2023 Depremi Sonrası Uzak Bir Merkez Olarak İzmir Tepecik Eğitim ve Araştırma Hastanesine Sevkedilen Hastalarda Elektromiyografi Deneyimi

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Taşkın A. Ç., Bölük E.

Anatolian Journal of General Medical Research, cilt.35, sa.3, ss.288-293, 2025 (Scopus, TRDizin)

Özet

Objective: On February 6, 2023, two powerful earthquakes struck our country, resulting in at least 50.000 fatalities and over 122.000 injuries, according to official reports. This study examines the demographic data, clinical features, and electromyography (EMG) findings of children and adults referred to the EMG laboratory at University of Health Sciences Türkiye, İzmir Tepecik Education and Research Hospital for evaluation of suspected peripheral nerve damage sustained during the earthquake. Methods: We analyzed the demographic, clinical, and EMG findings of patients who were referred to the EMG laboratory between February and July 2023 with a provisional diagnosis of peripheral nerve injury. Results: A total of 45 patients (aged 3 to 62 years; mean age 22.1 years) were evaluated in the EMG laboratory between February and July 2023. Three of them sustained injuries after jumping from a height during the earthquake. The remaining 42 patients were rescued from beneath collapsed structures, with entrapment durations ranging from 2 to 105 h (mean: 22 h). The initial EMG examination was performed, on average, 32 days after the injury. At least two follow-up EMG examinations were conducted in six patients. No statistically significant difference was noted between the symptomatic and the injured sides. Electrophysiological evidence of peripheral nerve or plexus injuries was identified in 89% of patients, whereas 11% had normal EMG findings. Simultaneous involvement of multiple peripheral nerves or plexuses was detected in 22% of patients (n=10). A positive correlation was found between entrapment duration and the occurrence of crush/compartment syndrome. Conclusion: EMG is a crucial diagnostic tool for evaluating traumatic peripheral nerve injuries. The EMG and laboratory findings reported in this study highlight the challenges faced by patients who survived two devastating earthquakes and were referred to our remote center for assessment of suspected traumatic nerve injuries.