Ultrasound Predictors of Persistent Burn Scar Pain After Blast and Drone-Related Injuries: A Prospective Cohort Study

N/ANot Yet RecruitingNCT07438769

Ukrainian Society of Regional Anesthesia and Pain Therapy150 enrolled

Overview

Persistent burn scar pain is common after blast and drone-related injuries and may be driven by scar fibrosis, vascular activity, and peripheral nerve involvement within scar tissue. This prospective cohort study aims to determine whether early ultrasound features of scars and nerves predict persistent clinically significant scar pain at 3 and 6 months. Ultrasound measures include scar thickness, echogenicity, Power Doppler vascularity, dynamic adhesion (gliding) assessment, and ultrasound signs of nerve involvement ("US-nerve positive"). Clinical outcomes include pain intensity (NRS), neuropathic pain screening (DN4), and functional interference.

Participants with burn scars 2-12 weeks after injury will undergo standardized baseline assessment including pain ratings at rest, during movement, and on light touch, DN4 screening, basic scar assessment, and a structured ultrasound examination using a high-frequency linear probe (10-18 MHz). Ultrasound endpoints include scar thickness, echogenicity pattern, Power Doppler vascularity grade, dynamic adhesion score, and nerve involvement defined as presence of ≥2 out of 5 ultrasound criteria (focal nerve thickening, hypoechoic fascicular distortion, nerve traversing scar tissue, reduced gliding, and sonopalpation pain reproduction). Follow-up assessments will be performed at 6 weeks, 3 months, and 6 months. The primary analysis will evaluate the association between baseline ultrasound features and persistent clinically significant scar pain (NRS ≥4 during movement or touch) at 3 or 6 months.

Study Type

OBSERVATIONAL

Enrollment

150

Conditions

Burn Scar Pain Neuropathic Pain Combat-Related Burn Injury

Eligibility

Sex: ALLMin age: 18 YearsMax age: 60 Years

Medical Language ↔ Plain English

Inclusion Criteria: * Age ≥18 years * Burn injury with clinically formed scar * Enrollment 2-12 weeks after injury * Scar located on extremities, chest wall, or neck * Ability to provide written informed consent Exclusion Criteria: * Severe cognitive impairment preventing valid questionnaires * Hemodynamic instability or inability to complete baseline evaluation * Active systemic infection (enrollment deferred until stable) * Pre-existing chronic pain condition unrelated to burn scar that would confound outcomes (investigator judgment)

Outcomes

Primary Outcomes

Persistent clinically significant scar pain

Persistent scar pain defined as Numeric Rating Scale (NRS) ≥4 during movement or on light touch at follow-up assessment. The primary endpoint is the presence of clinically significant pain at 3 months after enrollment.

Time frame: 3 mounth

Secondary Outcomes

Persistent Clinically Significant Scar Pain at 6 Months

Presence of clinically significant scar pain defined as Numeric Rating Scale (NRS) ≥4 during movement or on light touch at 6 months after enrollment.

Time frame: 6 mounth