Outcomes of Twice Repeated High-Voltage Long-Duration Pulsed Radiofrequency Treatment in Subacute Postherpetic Neuralgia: a Retrospective Single-Center Analysis

Abstract

Huaichang Wen,1,2,* Yi Wang,2,* Hao Cheng,2 Bin Wang,2 Xianwen Hu1 1Department of Anesthesiology, The Second Hospital of Anhui Medical University, Hefei, People’s Republic of China; 2Department of Anesthesiology, First Affiliated Hospital of Wannan Medical College, Wuhu, People’s Republic of China*These authors contributed equally to this workCorrespondence: Xianwen Hu, Department of Anesthesiology, The Second Hospital of Anhui Medical University, Hefei, 230032, People’s Republic of China, Email [email protected]: The treatment of herpes zoster-related pain is challenging, and requires a variety of methods including pulse radio frequency modulation. Among them, single-time high-voltage long-term pulsed radiofrequency (HL-PRF) has been proved to be an effective treatment for subacute postherpetic neuralgia. However, it has the possibility of poor long-term curative effect and recurrence of neuralgia. In this study, we aim to identify the clinical efficacy and safety of twice repeated HL-PRF treatment in patients with subacute postherpetic neuralgia.Design: We conducted a retrospective analysis of subacute postherpetic neuralgia patients who underwent HL-PRF treatment.Setting: Pain Management Department of First Affiliated Hospital of Wannan Medical College.Patients: We enrolled all patients with subacute postherpetic neuralgia, who underwent HL-PRF treatment from January 2023 to October 2023.Measurements: The primary outcome variable was the visual Analog Scale (VAS) scores at 1, 4, 8, and 12 weeks after treatment. Secondary outcomes included Pittsburgh sleep quality index (PSQI), 36-item short-form health survey (SF-36) score, and total effective rate after treatment.Results: A total of 63 patients were included in the analysis. Among them, 33 patients received single-time HL-PRF treatment (Group S) and 30 patients received twice repeated HL-PRF treatment (Group T). Pain scores, PSQI scores, and SF-36 score were reduced in both groups after treatment (P < 0.001). Compared to group S, the VAS scores, PSQI scores, anxiety scores, and depression scores were significantly lower at 1, 4, 8, and 12 weeks in group T. (P < 0.001). The total efficiency rate at 12 weeks after treatment of group T was statistically higher than that of group S (60.6% vs 86.7%, P < 0.05).Conclusion: Twice repeated high-voltage long-duration PRF therapy demonstrates satisfactory efficacy in patients with subacute postherpetic neuralgia and is associated with no significant adverse reactions.Keywords: herpes zoster, subacute postherpetic neuralgia, CT-guided, pulsed radiofrequency therapy, dorsal root ganglion

Keywords

• herpes zoster
• subacute postherpetic neuralgia
• ct-guided
• pulsed radiofrequency therapy
• dorsal root ganglion;