• Proceedings of the KACD Conference
• /
• 2001.05a
• /
• pp.252-252
• /
• 2001

;The Varicella zoster virus can cause two infectious diseases. The primary infection of this virus leads to Chicken pox and it goes into a latent period until it reveals itself again. When secondarily shown. it is called Herpes Zoster. Herpes Zoster can usually be seen between T-3 and L-2 of immunodepressant patients but in 13%. it is seen in the trigeminal nerve branch. During the predrominal stage. burning sensation, itching. and sharp pain can be experienced unilaterally where the nerve branch is distributed. Patients can also express tooth pain in this stage. After 2-4 days the acute stage begins with its characteristic unilateral macule showing vesicle formation. In this stage fever and fatigue can be experienced. Continuous pain even after the acute stage is called postherpetic neuralgia; deep pain and burning sensation can be expressed by the patient. The sequelae of this disease consists of rare osteomyelitis. necrosis of the jaws. or loss of teeth.teeth.

• The Korean Journal of Pain
• /
• v.30 no.1
• /
• pp.3-17
• /
• 2017

Background: Postherpetic neuralgia (PHN) is a common and painful complication of acute herpes zoster. In some cases, it is refractory to medical treatment. Preventing its occurrence is an important issue. We hypothesized that applying nerve blocks during the acute phase of herpes zoster could reduce PHN incidence by attenuating central sensitization and minimizing nerve damage and the anti-inflammatory effects of local anesthetics and steroids. Methods: This systematic review and meta-analysis evaluates the efficacy of using nerve blocks to prevent PHN. We searched the MEDLINE, EMBASE, Cochrane Library, ClinicalTrials.gov and KoreaMed databases without language restrictions on April, 30 2014. We included all randomized controlled trials performed within 3 weeks after the onset of herpes zoster in order to compare nerve blocks vs active placebo and standard therapy. Results: Nine trials were included in this systematic review and meta-analysis. Nerve blocks reduced the duration of herpes zoster-related pain and PHN incidence of at 3, 6, and 12 months after final intervention. Stellate ganglion block and single epidural injection did not achieve positive outcomes, but administering paravertebral blockage and continuous/repeated epidural blocks reduced PHN incidence at 3 months. None of the included trials reported clinically meaningful serious adverse events. Conclusions: Applying nerve blocks during the acute phase of the herpes zoster shortens the duration of zoster-related pain, and somatic blocks (including paravertebral and repeated/continuous epidural blocks) are recommended to prevent PHN. In future studies, consensus-based PHN definitions, clinical cutoff points that define successful treatment outcomes and standardized outcome-assessment tools will be needed.

• Annals of Clinical Neurophysiology
• /
• v.17 no.2
• /
• pp.86-90
• /
• 2015

Brachial radiculoplexitis is characterized by acute onset of shoulder and arm pain followed by weakness and sensory loss. Brachial radiculoplexitis by herpes zoster is a rare disease, which can be diagnosed by careful history, electrodiagnosis and MRI. It has remained uncertain about clinical characteristics, treatment, and prognosis. Better understanding of this disease helps earlier diagnosis and prompt treatment to minimize neurologic sequale. We present two cases of subacute brachial radiculoplexitis preceded by herpes zoster infection.

• The Korean Journal of Pain
• /
• v.21 no.2
• /
• pp.93-105
• /
• 2008

Numerous treatment modalities for acute or subacute herpes zoster and postherpetic neuralgia have been introduced. Therefore, we updated the treatment modalities by conducting a wide review of the medical literature and we created a new treatment algorithm for herpes zoster and postherpetic neuralgia.

• The Journal of Korean Medicine Ophthalmology and Otolaryngology and Dermatology
• /
• v.14 no.2
• /
• pp.125-133
• /
• 2001

Herpes Zoster Oticus is a reactivation of latent varicella-zoster infection associated otalgia, facial nerve palsy, sensorineural hearing loss and vertigo. Facial nerve palsy is rapid in onset, usually severe degree, and poor is prognosis. And pain in the form of acute neuritis and postherpetic neuralgia is by far the most frequent and most debilitating complication of Herpes Zoster. The pain of Herpes Zoster may severe, but it is usually transitory. Some patients, with the elderly at particular risk, go on to develop postherpetic neuralgia. In the two cases, pain (especially postherpetic neuralgia) which is often severe and, unfortunately, refractory to most forms of treatment was reduced using herbal medicine and acupuncture but facial nerve palsy was not improved.

• The Journal of Korean Medicine Ophthalmology and Otolaryngology and Dermatology
• /
• v.37 no.1
• /
• pp.113-125
• /
• 2024

Objectives : The purpose of this study is to report the effect of Korean-Western medicine combination treatment administered to two patients with acute herpes zoster. Methods : During hospitalization, the two patients were treated with Hyeonggaeyeongyotang-gagam, Hwangryunhaedok-tang wet dressing, pharmacopuncture, acupuncture, and other western medications including antiviral and analgesic agents. Photographs of skin lesions, numeric rating scale(NRS), and visual analog scale(VAS) were used to assess the improvement of symptoms. Results : At the time of discharge, both patients showed remarkable improvement in skin lesions, NRS for pain, and VAS for pruritus and insomnia. Conclusions : The results demonstrated that Korean-Western medicine combination treatment may be effective for treating herpes zoster.

• Journal of Korean Dental Science
• /
• v.7 no.2
• /
• pp.99-105
• /
• 2014

Herpes zoster (HZ) is an acute, unilateral inflammatory viral infection characterized by a rash with painful blisters in a localized area of the body. HZ is often associated with intense pain in the acute phase and presents postherpetic neuralgia in the chronic phase. During the prodromal stage of the HZ from the trigeminal nerve, however, the only presenting symptom may be odontalgia, which could be particularly difficult to diagnose. This distinctive syndrome occurs predominantly in the immunocompromised or elderly individuals. In this article, we report a case of HZ developed in the trigeminal nerve of a 60-year-old immunocompromised female patient, whose symptoms including atypical, non-odontogenic odontalgia had improved after series of antiviral treatments.

• The Korean Journal of Pain
• /
• v.28 no.3
• /
• pp.177-184
• /
• 2015

Herpes zoster (HZ) is a transient disease caused by the reactivation of latent varicella zoster virus (VZV) in spinal or cranial sensory ganglia. It is characterized by a painful rash in the affected dermatome. Postherpetic neuralgia (PHN) is the most troublesome side effect associated with HZ. However, PHN is often resistant to current analgesic treatments such as antidepressants, anticonvulsants, opioids, and topical agents including lidocaine patches and capsaicin cream and can persist for several years. The risk factors for reactivation of HZ include advanced age and compromised cell-mediated immunity (CMI). Early diagnosis and treatment with antiviral agents plus intervention treatments is believed to shorten the duration and severity of acute HZ and reduce the risk of PHN. Prophylactic vaccination against VZV can be the best option to prevent or reduce the incidence of HZ and PHN. This review focuses on the pathophysiology, clinical features, and management of HZ and PHN, as well as the efficacy of the HZ vaccine.

• Journal of Dental Anesthesia and Pain Medicine
• /
• v.15 no.4
• /
• pp.247-249
• /
• 2015

Herpes zoster most commonly occurs in elderly patients, and usually affects sensory neurons. Therefore, its characteristic symptoms are segmental pain, itching, and sensory changes in the affected areas. A 71-yr-old woman experienced painful herpetic rash on the right cervical 2-4 dermatomes for 16 days. Two days after the onset of the rash, she was diagnosed with herpes zoster, and prescribed 250 mg famciclovir three times a day for 7 days, pregabalin 150 mg twice a day, and tramadol 150 mg once a day for 14 days, by a dermatologist. Despite medication, her pain was rated at an intensity of 6/10 on the numeric rating scale. In addition, she complained of severe itching sensation on the affected dermatomes. Superficial cervical plexus block (SCPB) was performed at the right C4 level with 15 ml 0.5% lidocaine plus triamcinolone 30 mg. Five days after the procedure, pain and itching completely disappeared. SCPB may be an effective option for the treatment of acute pain and itching arising from herpes zoster, and for the prevention of postherpetic neuralgia.

• The Journal of Internal Korean Medicine
• /
• v.24 no.1
• /
• pp.151-156
• /
• 2003

Herpes zoster is a viral disease characterized by unilateral radicular pain and vesicular eruptions that are generally limited to the dermatome innervated by single spinal or cranial sensory ganglion. The disease causes severe pain and in particular, put elderly patients in great risks and further it develops postherpetic nenralgia. Nowadays western medicine use antiviral durg(ex: acyclovir), analgesics, nerve block and etc for treatment of herpes zoster and pain control, but the effect is not much satisfactory. A 73-year-old patient, admitted to our hospital because of severe migrain. Two days later, her illness was diagnosed as herpes zoster so we administrated Yongdamsagan-tang. After the six-day of treatment, all symptoms improved, especially headache was cleared since the four day long administration of Yongdamsagan-tang.