Korean J Dermatol.  1998 Aug;36(4):584-588.

The Effects of Continuous Epidural Blockade in the Treatment of Postherpetic Neuralgia

• Jun JH
• Ro YS
• Kim JH
• Shim JC

Abstract

BACKGROUND: Postherpetic neuralgia is usually defined as pain persisting for more than one month after the onset of the eruption of herpes zoster, although there is a overlap between this and the pain of the acute zoster. Many approaches have been proposed to treat postherpetic neuralgia, however, it remains a source of frustration for both patients and physicians.
OBJECTIVE
The purpose of this study was to determine more precisely the relationship between the effects of continuous epidural blockade and the time of treatment on postherpetic neuralgia.
METHODS
We analyzed the results of 5 patients with postherpetic neuralgia for whom continuous epidural blockade was performed within 1 month after the onset of postherpetic neuralgia, and compared them with the results of 5 patients for whom continuous epidural blockade was performed after 1 month after the onset of postherpetic neuralgia.
RESULTS
Continuous epidural blockade performed within 1 month after the onset of postherpetic neuralgia reduced pain significantly, compared to the results of continuous epidural blockade performed after 1 month after the onset of postherpetic neuralgia.
CONCLUSION
Continuous epidural blockade performed within 1 month after the onset of postherpetic neuralgia may be the treatment of choice for the pain.

Keyword

Postherpetic neuralgia; Continuous epidural blockade

MeSH Terms

Frustration
Herpes Zoster
Humans
Neuralgia, Postherpetic*