Alaa Abd-Elsayed
University of Wisconsin, USA
Title: Management of chronic chemotherapy induced peripheral neuropathy using neurostimulation
Biography
Biography: Alaa Abd-Elsayed
Abstract
Several patients on chemotherapy for treating malignant neoplasms suffer Chemotherapy-induced painful peripheral neuropathy, the severity and frequency depends on the regimen used. Unfortunately this nerve damage is partially reversible and patients may continue to suffer the pain and motor dysfunction after the termination of chemotherapy (1). We are presenting a patient with chemotherapy induced painful peripheral neuropathy who was successfully treated by a spinal cord stimulator after failure of conservative measures. Case presentation-Our patient was a 47 years old man who received chemotherapy for treating non-Hodgkin's lymphoma. Patient had successful treatment for his cancer but developed painful chemotherapy induced peripheral neuropathy in both hands. Patient presented to our clinic with severe pain in both hands, 7/10 on VAS. EMG was performed and confirmed the diagnosis of severe polyneuropathy. Patient tried several treatment modalities as physical therapy and medications which were not effective in treating his pain. We performed a spinal cord stimulator trial with placing 2 Octad leads into the cervical region at the level of C4-5. Patient indicated great improvement in his pain by about 70-80%, with improvement in function and ability to use his hands. Based on this successful trial, we proceeded with the permanent spinal cord stimulator implant. Patient continued to have good improvement in his pain and function as with the trial. Conclusion-Chemotherapy induced peripheral neuropathy can be very resistant to treatment but can be treated successfully by neurostimulation