Effective sympathetic nerve block for chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy: a case report

Abstract

Abstract Chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy (CIPN) is one of the most difficult-to-alleviate side effects of chemotherapy, impacting the patient’s daily activities and quality of life and frequently necessitating the discontinuation or dose reduction of anticancer drugs. An effective treatment for CIPN is yet to be established. Herein, we report the case of a patient who developed CIPN after receiving paclitaxel as postoperative chemotherapy for breast cancer. The patient experienced difficulties in performing daily activities owing to pain in her fingers and toes despite attempts to treat these symptoms with medications. Stellate and lumbar sympathetic ganglion blocks improved CIPN-induced symptoms of numbness and pain in the extremities. Thereafter, lumbar sympathetic ganglion block was performed once every 6 months, markedly improving the patient’s quality of life. Accordingly, sympathetic nerve block can facilitate pain control in patients with CIPN refractory to pharmacotherapy.