The Effects of Continuous Epidural Blockade in the Treatment of Postherpetic Neuralgia.
- Author:
Jae Hong JUN
1
;
Young Suck RO
;
Jae Hong KIM
;
Jae Chul SHIM
Author Information
1. Department of Dermatology, College of Medicine, Hanyang University, Seoul, Korea.
- Publication Type:Original Article
- Keywords:
Postherpetic neuralgia;
Continuous epidural blockade
- MeSH:
Frustration;
Herpes Zoster;
Humans;
Neuralgia, Postherpetic*
- From:Korean Journal of Dermatology
1998;36(4):584-588
- CountryRepublic of Korea
- Language:Korean
-
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.
