Interventional Treatments for Postherpetic Neuralgia: A Systematic Review

摘要

Background: Postherpetic neuralgia, a persistent pain condition often characterized by allodyniaand hyperalgesia, is a deleterious consequence experienced by patients after an acute herpeszoster vesicular eruption has healed. The pain associated with postherpetic neuralgia can severelyaffect a patient’s quality of life, quality of sleep, and ability to participate in activities of daily living.Currently, first-line treatments for this condition include the administration of medication therapiessuch as tricyclic antidepressants, pregabalin, gabapentin, and lidocaine patches, followed by theapplication of tramadol and capsaicin creams and patches as second- or third-line therapies. As notall patients respond to such conservative options, however, interventional therapies are valuablefor those who continue to experience pain.