Neuralgia is a sharp, shocking pain that follows the pathway of a nerve and is due to irritation or damage to the nerve. Post-herpetic neuralgia (PHN) is one of the most common forms of neuralgia . It is characterized by persisting pain in the affected dermatome after rash healing which last for years. PHN is often resistant to the traditional methods of treatment. Pulsed Radiofrequency (PRF) is known as an effective treatment for neuropathic pain. The aim of this study was to evaluate the efficacy of PRF ( pulsed dose response second generation of pulsed radiofrequency) for the management of PHN .
This study included 20 patients who have post herpetic neuralgia in thoracic dermatomes, the patients were selected according to inclusion and exclusion criteria, A 10 cm length cannula with 10 mm active tip was introduced in the thoracic transforaminal opening of the affected dermatomes under fluoroscopic guidance to become adjacent to dorsal root ganglia (DRG) , this position was confirmed by sensory and motor stimulation, after obtaining the appropriate stimulation , PRF was applied to the corresponding level( temperature 42 degree, pulse number 900, voltage 65 ) , after finishing the procedure the patients were evaluated at one, three and six months using McGill questionnaire.
The result of this study demonstrated that there are highly statistically significant decreases in Pain Rating Index (PRI) and Pain Persistent Intensity (PPI) in all patients of McGill pain questionnaire at one, three or six months after radiofrequency application , when compared with before radiofrequency application. In conclusion , the use of PRF for treatment of PHN is a safe therapeutic alternative method . Benefits include that the procedure is minimally invasive, provides short-term pain relief and improves quality of life.