European Journal of Biomedical and Pharmaceutical Sciences

EVALUATION OF EFFICACY OF ULTRASOUND GUIDED, ALCOHOL BASED, NEUROLYTIC INTERCOSTAL BLOCKS IN POST HERPETIC NEURALGIA- AN OBSERVATIONAL STUDY.

Dr. G Jayaraman MD. and *Dr. S. Parthasarathy MD. DNB. PhD.

ABSTRACT

Post-herpetic neuralgia (PHN) is one of the most common and important complication of severe Varizella Zoster infection particularly occurring in 20% of the elderly patients for one year. PHN is defined as neuropathic pain which is persisting for 90-120 days after the acute phase of herpes zoster. Various treatment modalities including interventional blocks have been described. In our initial study of six patients of established PHN, we administered ultrasound guided neurolytic intercostal nerve block to get excellent relief in all our patients. This was done after establishing the dermatome with a test block with only local anesthetics. This analgesia persisted for three more months. There were no complications. We feel that the use of ultrasound has revolutionised such neurolytic blocks to be administered without having in mind the possible complications. To conclude, ultrasound guided, alcohol based, neurolytic intercostal blocks is efficacious in the management of post herpetic neuralgia without much side effects.

Keywords: chronic pain, post herpetic neuralgia, nerve block, intercostal, alcohol.