title: Spinal cord stimulation relieves chemotherapy-induced pain: a clinical case report.
abstract: We present two patients with chemotherapy-induced painful neuropathy that had been poorly controlled with medications but successfully treated with spinal cord stimulation (SCS). A trial period of SCS provided effective pain relief in both patients who subsequently underwent permanent stimulator implantation. Psychophysical tests were performed before and after the implantation of trial and permanent stimulators. SCS improved pain scores and facilitated a reduction of medications. Both patients reported improved gait and one of them also reported an increase in leg flexibility. Psychophysical tests demonstrated an improvement in touch and sharpness detection thresholds. In summary, SCS offers a therapeutic option for patients with chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy who have poor pain relief with standard medical treatment.
authors.affiliation: Department of Symptom Research, University of Texas M. D. Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas 77030, USA.
authors.forename: Juan P
authors.initials: JP
authors.lastname: Cata
authors.forename: Joseph V
authors.initials: JV
authors.lastname: Cordella
authors.forename: Allen W
authors.initials: AW
authors.lastname: Burton
authors.forename: Samuel J
authors.initials: SJ
authors.lastname: Hassenbusch
authors.forename: Han-Rong
authors.initials: HR
authors.lastname: Weng
authors.forename: Patrick M
authors.initials: PM
authors.lastname: Dougherty
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D000970:Antineoplastic Agents / Q000009:adverse effects*; D004599:Electric Stimulation Therapy; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010146:Pain / Q000139:chemically induced*; D059408:Pain Management; D013116:Spinal Cord
chemical_list: D000970:Antineoplastic Agents