• The Korean Journal of Pain
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• v.24 no.3
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• pp.169-171
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• 2011

Postherpetic neuralgia is the most frequent complication of herpes zoster. Treatment of this neuropathic pain syndrome is difficult and often disappointing. Although postherpetic neuralgia is generally a self-limited condition, it can last indefinitely. Continuous epidural blockade for patients with acute zoster can shorten the duration of treatment. However, continuous epidural block has some complications such as infection, dural puncture, and total spinal and nerve damages. We report a case of myoclonus during continuous epidural block with ropivacaine, morphine, and ketamine in an acute zoster patient.

• Journal of Dental Anesthesia and Pain Medicine
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• v.15 no.4
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• pp.241-245
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• 2015

A majority of patients who sustain injuries to the peripheral sensory nerves of the face and jaws experience a slow but gradual return of sensation that is functional and tolerable, if not the same as before the injuries. However, long-term effects of such injuries are aggravating for many patients, and a few patients experience significant suffering. In some of these patients, posttraumatic symptoms become pathological and are painful. The predominant painful components are (1) numbing anesthesia dolorosa pain, (2) triggered neuralgiaform pain, (3) burning and aching causalgiaform pain, and (4) phantom pain. This is a case report of conservative management of traumatic neuralgia and neuritis as part of posttraumatic pain syndromes in geriatric patients who have undergone the teeth extraction and alveoloplasty.

• The Korean Journal of Pain
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• v.7 no.2
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• pp.303-306
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• 1994

Trigeminal neuralgia is a unique disease entity to be dealt with at pain clinic due to it's severe pain attack. A 33-year old male patient had severe pain on left cheek area usually initiating from first upper molar tooth area for three years. We successfully treated this patient with maxillary nerve block using pure alcohol by a lateral approach. Three months after maxillary block the patient is still pain free.

• The Korean Journal of Pain
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• v.9 no.1
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• pp.244-247
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• 1996

A 67 year old male with postherpetic neuralgia complained of right anterior chest throbbing pain and also allodynia. We performed thoracic epidural block with 0.25% bupivacaine and 1% lidocaine. Oral carbamazepine and imipramine were also administred concomitantly. One month later, patient complained of fatigue, anorexia, pruritis, jaundice, and dark urine. Liver function test values were significantly elevated then. Therefore we removed the epidural catheter and ceased all medication. Liver function test values decreased rapidly after discontinuation of medication. Hepatitis might have developed as result of drugs administered and could have been prevented if the patient had been monitored with regular clinical laboratory follow up. The purpose of this case report is emphasize the importance of early regular laboratory test to detect any possible side effect that may occur by administration of drugs during treatment of chronic pain.

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

• The Korean Journal of Pain
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• v.8 no.1
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• pp.135-138
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• 1995

We experienced two cases of malignancy diagnosed during the treatment of postherpetic neuralgia. One case was a lung cancer and the other case was a pancreatic cancer. Generally, herpes zoster frequently occurred in the patients who have immunosupressive disease, diabetes mellitus, malignancy and tuberculosis, etc. It is necessary to rule out malignancy in the patients who have herpes zoster, especially those patients whth severe eruptive cluster, persisting to the therapy or multifocal pain. So, we must carefully observe and follow up the patients to find out malignancy as well as to diminish the pain.

• Journal of Acupuncture Research
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• v.25 no.5
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• pp.197-204
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• 2008

Objectives : This is a clinical report about the 47-year-old female patient with Trigeminal Neuralgia(TN) treated by oriental medicine treatment including Bee Venom Pharmacopuncture therapy(BVP), without any western medical treatment. Methods : The patient was treated by acupuncture, herb medication, and BVP. The improvement of the patient was judged by Visual Analog Scale(VAS). Results : The pain was gradually reduced and VAS became 0 after 8 days of treatment. Since then the pain didn't reappeared for 6 months. Conclusions : Oriental medicine treatment including BVP was very effective to improve the TN patient's symptoms. It is necessary to have more observation and many cases of patients with TN.

• The Journal of Korean Medicine Ophthalmology and Otolaryngology and Dermatology
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• v.25 no.3
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• pp.160-167
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• 2012

Objective : This study reports the effect of oriental medicine with depletion and cupping therapy on post-herpetic neuralgia(PHN) 1 case. Methods : We experienced one case of PHN treated by oriental medical treatment with depletion and cupping therapy. To evaluate the effectiveness of this treatment, we used the Visual Analogue Scale(VAS). Result : After the treatment the grade of VAS was decreased and clinical symptoms were improved. Conclusion : Oriental medicine with depletion and cupping therapy can be available for relieving symptoms related with PHN.

• The Korean Journal of Pain
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• v.6 no.1
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• pp.105-108
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• 1993

A myofascial syndrome due to continuous muscle contraction with the trigger point at the upper lateral edge of the nuchal muscles where they attach to the occipital bone is frequently seen in daily pain clinic practice. The Tienchu syndrome is a myofascial condition of the posterior neck region with a trigger point at the Tienchu acupoint(B10). When advanced, occipital neuralgia and muscle contraction headache follow. Therefore, a Tienchu block and/or occipital nerve block with local anesthetic combined with a small dose of steroid is a most effective therapeutic method for many patients who complain of posterior headache or posterior neck pain.

• The Korean Journal of Pain
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• v.24 no.1
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• pp.53-56
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• 2011

Although postherpetic neuralgia (PHN) is a common chronic pain syndrome, the pathophysiology of this disorder is not well known and management is often very difficult. N-methyl-D-Aspartate (NMDA) receptor antagonists are known to be effective in PHN, and magnesium, a physiological blocker of NMDA receptors, is widely used to treat various chronic pain disorders. Here, we present a case of the PHN refractory to conventional treatment, which was treated successfully with transforaminal epidural injection of magnesium sulphate at the affected dermatome.