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Peripheral Subcutaneous Stimulation for the Treatment of Intractable Postherpetic Neuralgia: Two Case Reports and Literature Review
Author(s) -
Kouroukli Irene,
Neofytos Dionissios,
Panaretou Venetiana,
Zompolas Vassilios,
Papastergiou Dimitrios,
Sanidas Georgios,
Papavassilopoulou Theonymfi,
Georgiou Loukas
Publication year - 2009
Publication title -
pain practice
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.899
H-Index - 58
eISSN - 1533-2500
pISSN - 1530-7085
DOI - 10.1111/j.1533-2500.2009.00263.x
Subject(s) - postherpetic neuralgia , medicine , intractable pain , peripheral nerve stimulation , peripheral , anesthesia , neuralgia , stimulation , chronic pain , percutaneous , surgery , peripheral nerve , neuropathic pain , physical therapy , anatomy
Postherpetic neuralgia (PHN) is a common cause of chronic pain in the elderly. Antidepressants, anticonvulsants, and opioids may reduce discomfort in many patients, while others have pain intractable to all forms of therapy. We present a novel treatment approach for intractable PHN utilizing percutaneous peripheral nerve stimulation. Two cases are described in which an 80‐year‐old man and a 67‐year‐old woman with intractable PHN, lasting 2 and 10 years, respectively, were effectively treated with implantation of two octapolar leads in the lateral thoracic region. These cases suggest that peripheral nerve stimulation may offer an alternative treatment option for intractable pain associated with PHN especially in the elderly where treatment options are limited because of existing comorbidities.