Tibial Nerve Elastography in Chemotherapy-Induced Neuropathic Pain

Launched by ANKARA ETLIK CITY HOSPITAL · Jul 1, 2025

Keywords

ClinConnect Summary

This study is looking at how chemotherapy can affect the tibial nerve, a nerve in the lower leg, by measuring its stiffness using a special ultrasound technique called Shear Wave Elastography (SWE). Researchers want to compare the nerve stiffness in people who have nerve pain caused by chemotherapy (called chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy) with healthy people who don’t have this pain. By doing this, they hope to find out if SWE can be a helpful, non-invasive way to diagnose this type of nerve pain.

Adults between 18 and 75 years old who have nerve pain related to chemotherapy, shown by a specific score (DN4 score of 4 or higher), and who can safely have an ultrasound of their tibial nerve may be able to join. People with diabetes, heavy alcohol use, other nerve problems, or serious health issues won’t be eligible. Participants will have an ultrasound scan to measure nerve size and stiffness, and researchers will also collect information about their health and treatment history. This study is not yet recruiting, but if eligible, participants can expect a simple, painless ultrasound exam that helps doctors better understand nerve changes caused by chemotherapy.

Gender

ALL

Eligibility criteria

• Inclusion Criteria:
• • Age between 18 and 75 years
• • DN4 score ≥4
• • Anatomical suitability for tibial nerve ultrasound and SWE assessment
• • Providing written informed consent
• Exclusion Criteria:
• • Presence of diabetes mellitus
• • Alcohol use
• • Polyneuropathy due to genetic or toxic causes
• • Fracture, skin lesion, or edema in the lower extremity
• • Severe systemic diseases (e.g., liver, kidney, heart, or lung)
• • Inability to visualize the tibial nerve anatomically
• • Cognitive or psychiatric disorders preventing cooperation