title: Ultrasonographic evaluation of the median and sciatic nerves in hemiplegic patients after stroke.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The aim of this study was to evaluate morphologically and electrophysiologically the peripheral nerves of hemiplegic patients.
  
  
  METHODS
  Thirty-three (18 women and 15 men) stroke patients were recruited. The mean (SD) age was 55.6 (11.3) yrs, and the mean (SD) disease duration was 14.2 (16.0) mos. Motor nerve conduction study of the median, ulnar, fibular, and tibial nerves as well as sensory nerve conduction study of the median, ulnar, and sural nerves were performed. Diameters and cross-sectional area (CSA) measurements of the median (wrist/midarm levels) and sciatic nerves (midthigh level) were acquired using a 7- to 12-MHz linear probe. The values of the nonparetic limbs were taken as controls.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Prolonged distal latency and slowed motor conduction velocity of the tibial nerve as well as reduced amplitudes of the median and ulnar nerves were observed on the paretic sides when compared with those of the nonparetic sides (all P < 0.05). The median and sciatic nerve cross-sectional area values were found to be smaller on the paretic sides when compared with the nonparetic sides (all P < 0.05). The median and ulnar nerve compound muscle action potential amplitudes (paretic side) were positively correlated with arm/hand Brunnstrom Motor Recovery Stage, disease duration, motor Functional Independence Measure score, and Functional Ambulation Category.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The peripheral nerves of stroke patients seem to be affected--morphologically and electrophysiologically--on the paretic side.
authors.affiliation: From the Ankara Physical and Rehabilitation Medicine Training and Research Hospital (FGU, TT, MK, CT, ME); Department of Physical and Rehabilitation Medicine, Yıldırım Beyazıt University Medical School (SA); and Department of Physical and Rehabilitation Medicine, Hacettepe University Medical School, Ankara, Turkey (LÖ).
authors.forename: Fatma Gülçin
authors.initials: FG
authors.lastname: Uğurlu
authors.forename: Tülay
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Tiftik
authors.forename: Murat
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Kara
authors.forename: Canan
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Türkkan
authors.forename: Murat
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Ersöz
authors.forename: Selami
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Akkuş
authors.forename: Levent
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Özçakar
mesh_terms: D000200:Action Potentials / Q000502:physiology; D000328:Adult; D000367:Age Factors; D000368:Aged; D004576:Electromyography; D005260:Female; D006429:Hemiplegia / Q000503:physiopathology*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008475:Median Nerve / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000503:physiopathology; D008875:Middle Aged; D009431:Neural Conduction / Q000502:physiology; D012584:Sciatic Nerve / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000503:physiopathology; D020521:Stroke / Q000503:physiopathology*; D013979:Tibial Nerve / Q000503:physiopathology; D014459:Ulnar Nerve / Q000503:physiopathology; D014463:Ultrasonography