J Korean Pain Soc.  2004 Dec;17(2):239-242. 10.3344/jkps.2004.17.2.239.

Pulsed Radiofrequency Lesioning of Supraorbital and Supratrochlear Nerve in Postherpetic Neuralgia: A report of 2 cases

• Lee JH
• Kim TY
• Ha SH
• Kwon YE
• Yoon CS

• KMID: 2104862
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.3344/jkps.2004.17.2.239

Abstract

Postherpetic neuralgia (PHN) is commonly defined as the pain that persists after a rash has healed, and may last months or sometimes even years. Multiple pharmacological agents and various nerve blocks have been used. Nerve blocks are a reliable and effective technique for the prevention and treatment of PHN. However, they require repeated injections as nerve blocks under local anesthetic sometimes only give the patient temporary relief from the pain of PHN. Recently, the advent of pulsed radiofrequency (PRF) lesioning has proved a successful treatment for refractory pain disorders. Two patients suffering from PHN presented at our clinic with a sharp and stabbing pain over the eye and forehead up to the vertex. Supraorbital and supratrochlear nerve block, with local anesthetic-steroid injections, gave good, but relatively short relief of the pain for several days, but there relief of pain, for more than 4 months, was longer and better with PRF lesioning.

Keyword

postherpetic neuralgia; pulsed radiofrequency; supraorbital nerve; supratrochlear nerve

MeSH Terms

Exanthema
Forehead
Humans
Nerve Block
Neuralgia, Postherpetic*
Pain, Intractable