Ультразвуковое исследование нервов нижних конечностей в диагностике диабетической дистальной полиневропатии: ОРИГИНАЛЬНЫЕ СТАТЬИ

Валерия Андреевна  Смирнова; Виталий Леонидович  Баранов; Наталья Владимировна  Ворохобина; Полина Борисовна  Шорохова

doi:10.56871/MTP.2026.72.52.002

Ultrasonography of lower limbs nerves in the diagnosis of diabetic peripheral neuropathy

ORIGINAL PAPERS

Valeriia A. Smirnova North - Western State Medical University named after I.I. Mechnikov https://orcid.org/0009-0000-0907-8638
Vitalii L. Baranov North - Western State Medical University named after I.I. Mechnikov https://orcid.org/0000-0001-7826-7184
Natalia V. Vorokhobina North - Western State Medical University named after I.I. Mechnikov https://orcid.org/0000-0002-9574-105X
Polina B. Shorokhova Central Medical and Sanitary Unit No 38, Federal Medical - Biological Agency https://orcid.org/0000-0001-7765-2048

Keywords:

type 2 diabetes mellitus diabetic peripheral neuropathy peripheral nerve ultrasonography cross-sectional area tibial nerve common peroneal nerve сахарный диабет 2-го типа диабетическая дистальная полиневропатия ультразвуковое исследование периферических нервов площадь поперечного сечения большеберцовый нерв общий малоберцовый нерв

Abstract

Introduction.The early diagnosis of diabeticperipheral neuropathyremains one of the most challenging tasks in clinical practice. Traditional screening tools have limited sensitivity and specificity, which reduces their diagnostic accuracy. In recent years, several high - technology diagnostic methods based on complex and costly equipment have been proposed. However, their broad clinical application remains restricted. Ultrasonographic assessment of peripheral nerves is being actively investigated for the early detection and evaluation of diabetic peripheral neuropathy severity as more accessible and informative alternative.Aim — to assess the diagnostic value of lower limbs peripheral nerve ultrasonography for the early detection of diabetic peripheral neuropathy.Materials and methods.This study included 50 newly diagnosed patients (16 males) with type 2 diabetes mellitus. According to the neurological examination results 25 patients were included in diabetic peripheral neuropathy group, the remaining patients were assigned to the non - diabetic peripheral neuropathy group. A total of 15 healthy non - diabetic individuals, comparable by gender and age, were recruited as the control group. All participants underwent ultrasound examination of lower limb peripheral nerves on expert - class equipment with a high - frequency ultrasound transducer using B-mode according to the standard protocol.Results.The incidence of decreased echogenicity with the loss of fascicular definition of the tibial and common peroneal nerves was significantly higher in type 2 diabetes mellitus group with diabetic peripheral neuropathy. The latter comparison showed that diabetic peripheral neuropathy group had significantly larger lower limb peripheral nerves cross - sectional area than both non - diabetic peripheral neuropathy group and healthy group.Conclusions.This study confirmed that the ultrasonography of lower limbs nerves has certain advantages for the early detection of diabetic peripheral neuropathy in type 2 diabetes mellitus patients.

Author Biographies

Valeriia A. Smirnova, North - Western State Medical University named after I.I. Mechnikov

Postgraduate Student,Department of Endocrinology named after AcademicianV.G. Baranov

Vitalii L. Baranov, North - Western State Medical University named after I.I. Mechnikov

Dr. Sci. (Med.), Professor,Professor of the Department of Endocrinology named after Academician V.G. Baranov

Natalia V. Vorokhobina, North - Western State Medical University named after I.I. Mechnikov

Dr. Sci. (Med.), Professor, Head of the Department of Endocrinology named afterAcademician V.G. Baranov

Polina B. Shorokhova, Central Medical and Sanitary Unit No 38, Federal Medical - Biological Agency

Cand. Sci. (Med.), Endocrinologist

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Ultrasonography of lower limbs nerves in the diagnosis of diabetic peripheral neuropathy: ORIGINAL PAPERS. (2026). Medicine: Theory and Practice, 11(1), 20-31. https://doi.org/10.56871/MTP.2026.72.52.002

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