Neuromuscular ultrasound for taxane peripheral neuropathy in breast cancer

Our study aim was to evaluate neuromuscular ultrasound (NMUS) for the assessment of taxane chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy (CIPN), the dose-limiting toxicity of this agent.

This cross-sectional study of breast cancer patients with taxane CIPN measured nerve cross-sectional area (CSA) by NMUS and compared with healthy historical controls. Correlations were determined between CSA and symptom scale, nerve conduction studies, and intraepidermal nerve fiber density (IENFD).

A total of 20 participants reported moderate CIPN symptoms at a median of 3.8 months following the last taxane dose. Sural nerve CSA was 1.2 mm² smaller than healthy controls (P ≤ .01). Older age and time since taxane were associated with smaller sural nerve CSA. For each 1 mm² decrease in sural nerve CSA, distal IENFD decreased by 2.1 nerve/mm (R² 0.30; P = .04).

These data support a sensory predominant taxane neuropathy or neuronopathy and warrant future research on longitudinal NMUS assessment of CIPN.