Closed-loop Spinal Cord Stimulator for Neuropathic Pain Complicating Chemotherapy Regimen

This is the authors' abstract. We don't add key points for this paper.

This case study examines a 48-year-old female with a history of breast cancer treated with neoadjuvunct chemotherapy who presented to Cleveland Clinic with debilitating low back pain. Her pain was refractory to extensive therapeutic interventions, emphasizing the challenge in treating Chemotherapy-Induced Neuropathy (CIN). A comprehensive evaluation at Cleveland Clinic led to the diagnosis of CIN, prompting consideration of a closed-loop Spinal Cord Stimulator (SCS). The SCS trial provided the patient with 80% pain relief (VAS 10→2) as well as functional improvements. Permanent SCS implantation with close follow-up revealed significant, durable pain relief with sustained improvements in quality of life. This case suggests that a closed-loop SCS may serve as a promising modality for refractory CIN, offering analgesic relief and enhancing quality of life. Further cohort studies are warranted to substantiate the broader impact and generalizability of SCS in managing chemotherapy-induced neuropathy. This successful application underscores the potential of closed-loop SCS in alleviating chronic neuropathic pain in cancer survivors.