No abstract available.
Neuralgia, Postherpetic*

No abstract available.
Neuralgia, Postherpetic*

Numerous treatment modalities for acute or subacute herpes zoster and postherpetic neuralgia have been introduced. Therefore, we updated the treatment modalities by conducting a wide review of the medical literature and we created a new treatment algorithm for herpes zoster and postherpetic neuralgia.
Herpes Zoster ; Neuralgia, Postherpetic

No abstract available.
Neuralgia, Postherpetic* ; Risk Factors*

BACKGROUND: The lidocaine patch has been effectively used as a first-line therapy to treat neuropathic pain such as postherpetic neuralgia (PHN). OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the safety and efficacy of the topical piroxicam patch as a treatment option for the treatment of PHN. METHODS: Eighteen patients completed a 3-session study, applying three different patches (lidocaine, piroxicam and control) in random order. A maximum of three patches were applied to the most painful area for three consecutive days (12 hours on followed by 12 hours off). Each session was conducted at least seven days apart. The changes in visual analog scale (VAS) scores based pain intensity, quality of sleep and adverse effects were recorded. RESULTS: When compared to the control, both the lidocaine and piroxicam patches significantly reduced the mean VAS scores of pain intensity of all different types. However, the lidocaine patch was better at reducing allodynia, whereas the piroxicam patch was more effective for dull pain. The lidocaine patch worked faster than the piroxicam patch for the response to overall pain relief. CONCLUSION: The results of this study suggest the use of the piroxicam patch for dull pain and in patients where the lidocaine patch is contraindicated.
Humans ; Hyperalgesia ; Lidocaine ; Neuralgia ; Neuralgia, Postherpetic ; Piroxicam

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.
Frustration ; Herpes Zoster ; Humans ; Neuralgia, Postherpetic*

Tricyclic antidepressant (TCA) is a useful drug for treating neuropathic pain. However, tremors are one of the relatively frequent side effects of TCA. A female patient, who was suffering from postherpetic neuralgia, was treated with amitriptyline starting with 10 mg/day. She developed resting tremors on the second day after increasing the dose to 30 mg/day. This case highlights the need for the careful use of amitriptyline in the treatment of neuropathic pain in elderly patients.
Aged ; Amitriptyline ; Female ; Humans ; Neuralgia ; Neuralgia, Postherpetic ; Tremor*

There are several methods for the treatment of herpetic neuralgia, but there is no method that results in complete remission. Laser has lately come into use to reduce several acute or chronic pains. In order to determine the degree of pain relief by lasers, 26 patients of herpetic neuralgia were irradiated with both He-Ne and Ga-Al-As lasers twice to theree times per week and the results were analysed using visual analogue scale. The results were as follows. 1) The improving rate after 15 irradiations of laser was 63% 2)The highest improving rate(24%) was shown after one irradiation of laser(p<0.05). 3) Only one patient above age 60(3.8%) developed postherpetic neuralgia. 4) There was no significant differenc of effects of LLLT between above and below age 60. These results suggest that LLLT is non-invasive and simple method which was effective not only in controlling the herpetic neuralgia but in perventing the postherpetic neuralgia.
Chronic Pain ; Humans ; Low-Level Light Therapy* ; Neuralgia* ; Neuralgia, Postherpetic

There are several methods for the treatment of herpetic neuralgia, but there is no method that results in complete remission. Laser has lately come into use to reduce several acute or chronic pains. In order to determine the degree of pain relief by lasers, 26 patients of herpetic neuralgia were irradiated with both He-Ne and Ga-Al-As lasers twice to theree times per week and the results were analysed using visual analogue scale. The results were as follows. 1) The improving rate after 15 irradiations of laser was 63% 2)The highest improving rate(24%) was shown after one irradiation of laser(p<0.05). 3) Only one patient above age 60(3.8%) developed postherpetic neuralgia. 4) There was no significant differenc of effects of LLLT between above and below age 60. These results suggest that LLLT is non-invasive and simple method which was effective not only in controlling the herpetic neuralgia but in perventing the postherpetic neuralgia.
Chronic Pain ; Humans ; Low-Level Light Therapy* ; Neuralgia* ; Neuralgia, Postherpetic

Postherpetic neuralgia (PHN) is a sequela of acute herpes zoster infection and is defined as pain persisting more than 1 month. The patients with PHN suffer from a persistent neuropathic pain. There are many treatments for PHN but some people occasionally do not respond to the conventional therapies. Neurodestruction using neurolytic agents are beneficial to patients with severe intractable pain because of it's prolonged pain-relief and simplicity, inexpensiveness. We report a case that we managed successfully a patient with intractable thoracic PHN using intrathecal alcohol neurolysis.
Herpes Zoster ; Humans ; Neuralgia ; Neuralgia, Postherpetic* ; Pain, Intractable