During the early stage of postherpetic neuralgia, an epidural block on the affected segment is helpful in controlling pain and preventing progression to a chronic state. The main neurologic complication following an epidural block is cord compression symptom due to an epidural hematoma. When neurologic complications arise from an epidural block for the treatment of postherpetic neuralgia, it is...

BACKGROUND A number of different therapies have been used for postherpetic neuralgia. We decided to conduct a systematic review of existing randomized controlled trials. OBJECTIVE To determine the efficacy of available therapies for relieving the pain of established postherpetic neuralgia. METHODS We performed a systematic review, including meta-analysis, of existing randomized controlled t...

BACKGROUND While intractable itching may be rarely associated with postherpetic neuralgia, it can have catastrophic complications if present. METHOD We highlight a severe case of postherpetic itching in a 10-year-old male with Fanconi's and aplastic anemia, refractory to conventional treatments and requiring intravenous sedation. RESULTS Our use of 3 sequential stellate ganglion blocks with...

Background: Postherpetic neuralgia (PHN) is persistent pain in the affected dermatome that occurs more than three months after eruption of herpes zoster has disappeared. Vitamin D a role Schwann cell regeneration and stimulates release nerve growth factors.

BACKGROUND Postherpetic neuralgia is one of the major complications of herpes zoster caused by the reactivation of varicella-zoster virus and is characterized by severe pain. The authors previously showed the association of a human major histocompatibility complex (MHC) haplotype with postherpetic neuralgia. This study was performed to experimentally confirm the role of MHC haplotype in the dev...

BACKGROUND Vaccination against herpes zoster is being considered in many countries. We conducted a multicentre prospective study to describe the impact of herpes zoster and postherpetic neuralgia on health-related quality of life. METHODS From October 2005 to July 2006, 261 outpatients aged 50 years or older with herpes zoster were recruited from the clinical practices of 83 physicians within...

Postherpetic neuralgia (PHN) is an unpredictable complication of varicella zoster virus- (VZV-) induced herpes zoster (HZ) which often occurs in elderly and immunocompromised persons and which can induce psychosocial dysfunction and can negatively impact on quality of life. Preventive options for PHN include vaccination of high-risk persons against HZ, early use of antiviral agents, and robust ...

Neuropathic pain involving an upper extremitymay be due to avarietyof peripheral or central neuropathies such as cervical radiculopathy, carpal tunnel syndrome, diabetic polyneuropathy, postherpetic neuralgia, human immunodeficiency virus–related neuropathies, central post-stroke pain, multiple sclerosis, and spinal cord injury. Montgomery et al present an interesting case of a patient with cer...