Ultrasound for the Detection of Oxaliplatin-Induced Peripheral Neuropathy

This pilot clinical trial studies how well ultrasound works in detecting oxaliplatin-induced neuropathy in patients with gastrointestinal cancer. Ultrasound may work better in diagnosing and detecting neuropathy in gastrointestinal cancer patients treated with the chemotherapy drug called a oxaliplatin.

Primary Objectives I. To compare tibial motor nerve ultrasound cross-sectional area between oxaliplatin-induced peripheral neuropathy patients and historical data among healthy adults. Secondary Objective I. To compare sural sensory nerve ultrasound cross-sectional area between oxaliplatin-induced peripheral neuropathy patients and historical data among healthy adults. II. To determine if the above changes in nerve cross-sectional area correlate with nerve conduction study changes in the same oxaliplatin-induced peripheral neuropathy patients. III. To determine if the above changes in nerve cross-sectional area correlate with changes on a self-reported neuropathy scale (QLQ-CIPN20) in the same oxaliplatin-induced peripheral neuropathy patients. IV. To determine if the above changes in nerve cross-sectional area correlate with intraepidermal nerve fiber density changes on skin biopsy in the same oxaliplatin-induced peripheral neuropathy patients. Exploratory Objectives I. To assess activated mast cells in skin biopsies in oxaliplatin-induced peripheral neuropathy patients in relation to severity of symptoms and above findings. II. To assess serum inflammatory markers in oxaliplatin-induced peripheral neuropathy patients in relation to severity of symptoms and above findings. III. Exploratory Cohort (Oxaliplatin-induced peripheral neuropathy, OIPN) Objectives IV. To compare tibial motor nerve ultrasound cross-sectional area between oxaliplatin-induced peripheral neuropathy patients and historical data among healthy adults and OIPN patients V. To compare sural sensory nerve ultrasound cross-sectional area between oxaliplatin-induced peripheral neuropathy patients and historical data among healthy adults and oxaliplatin-induced peripheral neuropathy patients VI. To determine if the above changes in nerve cross-sectional area correlate with nerve conduction study changes in the same oxaliplatin-induced peripheral neuropathy patients VII. To determine if the above changes in nerve cross-sectional area correlate with changes on a self-reported neuropathy scale (QLQ-CIPN20) in the same oxaliplatin-induced peripheral neuropathy patients VIII. To determine if the above changes in nerve cross-sectional area correlate with intraepidermal nerve fiber density changes on skin biopsy in the same oxaliplatin-induced peripheral neuropathy patients

Two skin biopsies will be obtained as 4.0 mm punch biopsies at distal end of leg in sural nerve territory (10 cm above lateral malleolus) and from the thigh

Exam to include strength assessment of the tibialis anterior and gastrocnemius and deep tendon reflex exam of the Achilles on the limb to be examined by nerve conduction velocity and ultrasound.

Tibial nerve cross-sectional area determined by ultrasound in oxaliplatin-induced peripheral neuropathy patients will be transformed to compare to historical data previously collected from healthy adults and oxaliplatin-induced peripheral neuropathy patients using analysis of variance (ANOVA).

Sural nerve cross-sectional area determined by ultrasound in oxaliplatin-induced peripheral neuropathy patients will be transformed to compare to historical data previously collected from healthy adults and oxaliplatin-induced peripheral neuropathy patients using analysis of variance (ANOVA).

Amplitude will be obtained from a nerve conduction study. Spearman's rank correlation coefficient will be used to examine the associations between nerve cross-sectional area and nerve conduction studies.

Amplitude will be obtained from a nerve conduction study. Spearman's rank correlation coefficient will be used to examine the associations between nerve cross-sectional area and nerve conduction studies.

Distal latency will be obtained from a nerve conduction study. Spearman's rank correlation coefficient will be used to examine the associations between nerve cross-sectional area and nerve conduction studies.

Distal latency will be obtained from a nerve conduction study. Spearman's rank correlation coefficient will be used to examine the associations between nerve cross-sectional area and nerve conduction studies.

Conduction velocity will be obtained from a nerve conduction study. Spearman's rank correlation coefficient will be used to examine the associations between nerve cross-sectional area and nerve conduction studies.

Conduction velocity will be obtained from a nerve conduction study. Spearman's rank correlation coefficient will be used to examine the associations between nerve cross-sectional area and nerve conduction studies.

European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer Quality of Life Questionnaire - Chemotherapy-Induced Peripheral Neuropathy 20 (EORTC QLQ-CIPN20) Questionnaire

A 20-item self-reported neuropathy score questionnaire for participants to report neuropathy symptoms or problems. Scoring ranges from 1-4, 1 being not at all, 4 being very much.

Biopsies will be taken from the distal leg or proximal thigh to evaluate peripheral neuropathy. Spearman's rank correlation coefficient will be used to examine the associations between nerve cross-sectional area and intraepidermal nerve fiber density.

Inclusion Criteria: Gastrointestinal cancer Colorectal cancer (any stage) Previously or currently receiving oxaliplatin -based chemotherapy. Clinical symptoms of peripheral neuropathy noted in medical record and suspected to be secondary to oxaliplatin -based therapy. Ability and willingness to understand and sign an informed consent. Exclusion Criteria: Self-reported or documented history of pre-existing peripheral neuropathy prior to initiation of oxaliplatin chemotherapy. Unable to provide history.