[Neurosurgical treatment of postherpetic neuralgia]. / Neirokhirurgicheskoe lechenie postgerpeticheskoi nevralgii.

Postherpetic neuralgia is a chronic and debilitating condition that can occur following an episode of herpes zoster (shingles). It is characterized by severe, persistent pain in the area where the shingles rash occurred. While various treatment approaches exist, including medications and non-invasive therapies, some cases of postherpetic neuralgia may require neurosurgical intervention. Neurosurgical treatment options for postherpetic neuralgia aim to alleviate the pain by targeting the affected nerves or neural pathways. One common approach is spinal cord stimulation (SCS). In SCS, electrodes are implanted along the spinal cord, and electrical impulses are delivered to interfere with the transmission of pain signals. This technique can modulate pain perception and significantly reduce the intensity and frequency of postherpetic neuralgia symptoms. Neurosurgical treatment of postherpetic neuralgia is typically considered when conservative measures have failed to provide sufficient relief. However, it is crucial for patients to undergo a comprehensive evaluation and consultation with a neurosurgeon to determine the most appropriate treatment approach based on their specific condition and medical history. The risks, benefits, and potential outcomes of neurosurgical interventions should be carefully discussed between the patient and their healthcare provider to make an informed decision.

Comparative effectiveness of external therapies of traditional Chinese medicine and surgical treatments in pain management of postherpetic neuralgia: A protocol for a systematic review and network meta-analysis.

BACKGROUND: As the most common long-term complication of herpes zoster (HZ), postherpetic neuralgia (PHN) is characterized by chronic, persistent, and debilitating neuropathic pain. PHN seriously harms human health and currently becomes a topic of clinical importance. To date, the common methods of pain management in PHN include external therapies of traditional Chinese medicine and surgical treatments. However, there is no high-quality or direct evidence of their comparative effectiveness. This review aims to provide a network meta-analysis to compare the efficacy of external therapies of traditional Chinese medicine and surgical treatments in the pain management of PHN. METHODS: Databases such as PubMed, Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials, EMBASE, China National Knowledge Infrastructure, China Biology Medicine Disc will be searched for relevant randomized controlled trials to obtain literatures on the treatment of PHN with external therapies of traditional Chinese medicine and surgical treatments, and clinical randomized controlled trials will be screened out from their inception to August 5, 2022. The participant intervention comparator outcomes of this study are as flowing: P, patients with PHN; I, external therapies of traditional Chinese medicine and surgical treatments; C, no treatment, pharmacological placebo, treatment as usual or sham acupuncture groups; O, primary outcome is pain intensity, and secondary outcomes are onset of pain relief time, quality of life, therapeutic effective rate and reverse effects. Cochrane Risk of Bias Tool will be used in assessing literature's quality. Network meta-analyses will be conducted to generate estimates of comparative effectiveness of each intervention class and rankings of their effectiveness, in terms of pain management. RESULT: This systematic review and network meta-analysis will provide evidence of the efficacy of different therapeutic methods for pain management in PHN, to show which forms of therapy are more commonly used with higher effectiveness. DISCUSSION: The results will systematically provide suggestions for medical practitioners to choose effective, time-saving and economical pain management method for PHN.

Peripheral Neurectomy With Customized Nerve Reconstruction for Periorbital Neuropathic Pain: Initial Experience and Clinical Outcomes.

PURPOSE: To describe a novel, minimally invasive surgical technique to treat severe, intractable periorbital neuropathic pain. METHODS: A retrospective analysis of patients with severe, treatment-refractory periorbital pain who underwent transection of affected sensory trigeminal branches with nerve repair was performed. Collected data included etiology and duration of neuropathic pain, comorbidities, prior treatment history, surgical technique including site of transected sensory nerves and type of nerve repair, preoperative and postoperative pain scores as well as follow-up duration. Differences between preoperative and postoperative values were analyzed by the Wilcoxon signed-rank test. RESULTS: A total of 5 patients with severe periorbital neuropathic pain underwent transection of affected supraorbital, supratrochlear, infratrochlear, infraorbital, zygomaticotemporal, and zygomaticofacial nerves with customized nerve reconstruction. All 5 had improvement of periorbital pain after surgery, with 3 (60%) noting complete resolution of pain and 2 (40%) experiencing partial pain relief over a median follow-up period of 9 months (interquartile range [IQR], 6-19 months). Of the 3 patients who had complete resolution of pain, all reported continued pain relief. Median McGill pain scores significantly decreased from 8.4 (IQR, 8.2-10.0) preoperatively to 0.0 (IQR, 0.0-4.8; p < 0.001) postoperatively. All patients reported satisfaction with the surgical procedure and stated that they would undergo the procedure again if given the option. One patient with history of postherpetic neuralgia (PHN) had reactivation of herpes zoster at postoperative month 3, which was self-limited, without worsening of her neuropathic pain. Another patient with PHN required a staged procedure to achieve complete pain relief. CONCLUSION: Peripheral neurectomy with customized reconstruction of involved sensory nerves can successfully reduce and even eradicate periorbital neuropathic pain that was previously recalcitrant to combination pharmacotherapy and prior neurolysis procedures.

Lumbar Sympathetic Block for Intractable Lower-Limb Postherpetic Neuralgia: Report of Two Cases.

Lumbar sympathetic block is a commonly used technique for sympathetically mediated pain syndromes. Postherpetic neuralgia (PHN) is also accepted to be associated with sympathetic system activation. While sympathetic blocks were utilized for upper-extremity or face-related PHN, there has not been any report regarding lower-extremity PHN, as it is an uncommon region. Here, we present two cases of systemic drug-resistant PHN in lower limb, relieved with lumbar sympathetic block. Both patients had at least 50% reduction in numeric rating scale (NRS) scores at the end of 6 months. Lumbar sympathetic block could be considered in the treatment of lower-limb PHN. More reports and controlled trials are needed for further understanding the role of the intervention in this neuropathic pain syndrome.

Autologous fat grafting seems to alleviate postherpetic neuralgia - a feasibility study investigating patient-reported levels of pain.

BACKGROUND: Postherpetic neuralgia (PHN) is a relatively common side effect after an outbreak of herpes zoster (HZ), characterized by chronic neuropathic dermal pain. No effective treatment exists today. Fat grafting has shown promise in alleviating neuropathic pain, yet the exact mechanism of action, at a biological level, is not yet known. We report on the first human study using autologous fat grafting for treating PHN. Our hypothesis was that fat grafting can alleviate pain and improve the quality of life (QoL) in patients suffering from PHN. If successful, this could be a safe, cost-effective alternative to analgesics. This safety and feasibility study aimed to investigate the possible pain-relieving effect of autologous fat grafting on PHN. METHODS: Ten adult patients suffering from PHN underwent autologous fat grafting to a dermal area of neuralgia, with a 12-week follow up. The primary endpoint was patient-reported pain. Secondary endpoints were patient-reported changes in QoL, and the degree and quality of the neuropathic pain. RESULTS: The pain was measured by using a visual analog scale (range: 0-10). We observed improvements in both the average and maximum level of pain with a reduction of (-4.0 ± 3.1) and (-5.1 ± 3.9), respectively, (Δ mean ± SD), P<0.05. All parameters investigating neuropathic pain were significantly reduced. No improvement was seen in the QoL. The average amount of fat grafted was 208 ml. We observed no serious adverse effects. CONCLUSION: This study suggests that autologous fat grafting can relieve chronic pain resulting from HZ. The next step toward routine clinical translation is to perform a randomized, blinded, placebo-controlled trial with a more extended follow-up period.

Neurosurgeons' Armamentarium for the Management of Refractory Postherpetic Neuralgia: A Systematic Literature Review.

BACKGROUND/AIMS: Postherpetic neuralgia (PHN) can be refractory to both medical and minimally invasive treatments. Its complex pathophysiology explains the numerous neurosurgical procedures that have been implemented through the years. Our objective was to summarize all available neurosurgical strategies for the management of resistant PHN and evaluate their respective safety and efficacy outcomes. METHODS: A comprehensive systematic review was conducted according to the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines. RESULTS: A total of 38 studies comprising 811 patients with refractory PHN were included. The safety and efficacy of the following procedures were investigated: spinal cord stimulation (SCS), dorsal root entry zone (DREZ) lesioning, intrathecal drug delivery, caudalis DREZ lesioning, dorsal root ganglion (DRG) radiofrequency lesioning, peripheral nerve stimulation, gamma knife surgery, deep brain stimulation, cordotomy, percutaneous radiofrequency rhizotomy and Gasserian ganglion stimulation. CONCLUSIONS: There are several available neurosurgical approaches for recalcitrant PHN including neuromodulatory and ablative procedures. It is suggested that patients with resistant PHN undergo minimally invasive procedures first, including SCS, peripheral nerve stimulation or DRG radiofrequency lesioning. More invasive procedures should be reserved for refractory cases. Comparative studies are needed in order to construct a PHN neurosurgical management algorithm.

Peripheral nerve surgery for the treatment of postherpetic neuralgia.

Postherpetic neuralgia is a chronic pain condition that develops in some patients after the resolution of herpes zoster, and has no medical cure. Medications used to treat chronic pain do not hasten resolution of the disorder and may impair function. In this brief case report, we describe our experience with excision and implantation to muscle of peripheral sensory nerves in the affected dermatomes as a novel surgical treatment to reduce pain and improve quality of life for patients with this condition. Of the 3 treated patients, all had resolution of chronic pain after surgery. It is concluded that peripheral nerve surgery offers a promising option to improve pain and quality of life in postherpetic neuralgia patients, without affecting systemic functioning.

Microendoscopic stereotactic-guided percutaneous radiofrequency trigeminal nucleotractotomy.

OBJECT: Over the past few decades, various authors have performed open or stereotactic trigeminal nucleotractotomy for the treatment of neuropathic facial pain resistant to medical treatment. Stereotactic procedures can be performed percutaneously under local anesthesia, allowing intraoperative neurological examination as a method for target refinement. However, blind percutaneous procedures in the region of the atlantooccipital transition carry a considerably high risk of vascular injuries that may bring prohibitive neurological deficit or even death. To avoid such complications, the authors present the first clinical use of microendoscopy to assist percutaneous radiofrequency trigeminal nucleotractotomy. The aim of this article is to demonstrate intradural microendoscopic visualization of the medulla oblongata through an atlantooccipital percutaneous approach. METHODS: The authors present a case of severe postherpetic facial neuralgia in a patient who underwent the procedure and had satisfactory results. Stereotactic computational image planning for targeting the spinal trigeminal tract and nucleus in the posterolateral medulla was performed, allowing for an accurate percutaneous approach. Immediately before radiofrequency electrode insertion, a fine endoscope was introduced to visualize the structures in the cisterna magna. RESULTS: Microendoscopic visualization offered clear identification of the pial surface of the medulla oblongata and its blood vessels, the arachnoid membrane, cranial nerve rootlets and their entry zone, and larger vessels such as the vertebral arteries and the branches of the posterior inferior cerebellar artery. CONCLUSIONS: The initial application of this technique suggests that percutaneous microendoscopy may be useful for particular manipulation of the medulla oblongata, increasing the safety of the procedure and likely improving its effectiveness.

Nucleus caudalis dorsal root entry zone lesions: a clinical-radiographic case report.

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this paper is to report on a case of a successful dorsal root entry zone procedure done for the treatment of postherpetic neuralgia and to provide unique MRI documentation outlining the precise location of the surgical lesion. CLINICAL PRESENTATION: A 79-year-old female presented with postherpetic neuralgia in the left V1 distribution following a herpes zoster infection in that area 7 weeks earlier. She described the pain as constant, burning, aching, and throbbing, rating it as a 10 on a scale from 1 to 10. Prior to surgery, the patient was on large doses of narcotics, which were causing her to be severely somnolent. INTERVENTION OR TECHNIQUE: A dorsal root entry zone electrode with 2 mm of exposed tip was sequentially inserted into the dorsal root entry zone where 30-second, 80-degree lesions were made. The lesions were superficially continuous over the entire dorsal root entry zone from the upper cervical region to the obex. The postherpetic pain completely resolved immediately after surgery and the patient continued to have total pain relief 1 year later. An MRI performed 2 weeks after surgery clearly showed the location of the lesions. CONCLUSION: This unique clinical radiographic correlation shows that a nucleus caudalis dorsal root entry zone lesion, performed according to the described procedure, will be largely confined to the nucleus caudalis.

[Selective percutaneous dorsal root ganglion radiofrequency thermocoagulation guided by CT scanning in treatment of post-herpetic neuralgia].

OBJECTIVE: To present the experience in a technique used to treat intractable postherpetic neuralgia (PHN)-percutaneous dorsal root ganglion (DGR) radiofrequency thermocoagulation guided by CT scanning. METHODS: Sixteen PHN patients underwent puncture of radiohealing needle into the superior 1/3 of the corresponding intervertebral foramen guided by CT. Electric stimulation test and impedance test were conducted to confirm the right spot. Radiofrequency heat coagulation therapy under the condition of 90 degrees C 90 s was performed for 3 cycles. Then mixture of betamethasone and lidocain was injected and the needle was pulled out. CT was conducted to observe if pneumothorax occurred. The patients were followed up for 2-16 months. RESULTS: Radiofrequency thermocoagulation was performed on 45 target dorsal root ganglia in 16 PHN patients with the effect of immediate disappearance of hyperalgesia. Remaining spontaneous pain was seen in 5 cases, however, with decreases of attack frequency and severity. The visual analogue pain scale score was decreased from 7-9 before the procedure to 2-3 after the procedure. No relapse was found during the follow-up. CONCLUSION: Selective percutaneous DRG radiofrequency thermocoagulation guided by CT scanning is effective in treatment of PHN.

A lesão do trato de Lissauer e do corno posterior da medula espinal e a estimulação do sistema nervoso central para o tratamento da neuralgia pós-herpética / DREZ lesions and electrical stimulation of the central nervous system fortreatment of post-herpetic pain

Dor é uma complicação freqüente em doentes que apresentam erupção pelo vírus do herpes zóster. Os autores descrevem os resultados do tratamento operatório de 22 doentes com neuralgia pós-herpética. Sete doentes foram tratados pela técnica de lesão do trato de Lissauer(TL) e do corno posterior da medula espinal (CPME), sete pela técnica de estimulação elétrica da medula espinal, dois doentes por ambos os procedimentos e seis pela técnica de nucleotratotomia trigeminal estereotáxica. Foi observada significativa melhora imediata em 66,7%dos doentes com a técnica de estimulação medular, sendo mantida em 44,4% dos doentes a longo prazo. Ocorreu significativa melhora imediata em 50% dos doentes tratados pela nucleotratotomia trigeminal. A longo prazo, 33,3% dos doentes foram beneficiados. Foi observada melhora significativa imediata em 88,9% dos doentes tratados pela técnica da lesão do TL e do CPME. A longo prazo, a melhora foi observada em 66,6% dos casos. Síndrome cordonal posterior temporária ocorreu em dois doentes tratados pela nucleotratotomia trigeminal. Ela foi permanente em dois doentes tratados por essa técnica e em quatro pela lesão do TL e do CPME. Dos doentes tratados pela lesão do TL e do CPME ocorreu discreta hemiparesia permanente em quatro e um faleceu de embolia pulmonar durante o oitavo dia de pós-operatório. Concluiu-se que a lesão do trato de TL e do CPME e a estimulação elétrica da medula espinal proporcionaramresultados similares a longo prazo (p > 0,05). A técnica de estimulação, entretanto, é mais segura.

Post-herpetic pain is a very common and incapacitating disease. The authors analyse the effectiveness of the technique of dorsal root entry zone (DREZ) lesions, stereotaxic trigeminal nucleotractotomy (TNT) and dorsal column stimulation (DCS) for treatment of post-herpetic neuralgia. Twenty two patients were treated. Seven underwent DREZ; 7, DCS; 2 underwent both DREZ and DCS and 6, TNT. Immediate improvement (for 3 to 60 months ? median 12 months) of the symptoms occurred in 88.9% of the patients treated by DREZ. After a long term follow up period satisfactory results were observed in 66.7% of these patients. TNT resulted in significant immediate improvent of 50.0% of the patients and a long term (3 to 120 months ? median 8.5 (months) improvement of 33.3% of the cases. The DCS resulted in immediate improvement of pain in 66.4% of the patients. During a long term follow up period (6 to 18 months ? median 12 (months), 44.4% of the patients were better.The complication rate was higher among DREZ and TNT patients. It was concluded that the results of DREZ, TNT and DCS are similar (p > 0.05). However, DCS is safer, specially in cases of post-herpetic neuralgia affecting intercostal roots.