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Post-herpetic trigeminal neuralgia treated with deep brain stimulation
A L Green1, D Nandi, G Armstrong
1Department of Neurosurgery, Radcliffe Infirmary, Oxford, UK.
Summary
Post-herpetic neuralgia, a complication of trigeminal Herpes Zoster, can be successfully treated with deep brain stimulation (DBS). This innovative approach targets specific brain regions, offering hope for patients with unrewarding past treatments.
Area of Science:
- Neurology
- Neurosurgery
- Pain Management
Background:
- Post-herpetic neuralgia (PHN) affects up to 20% of patients following trigeminal Herpes Zoster.
- Previous medical and surgical interventions for PHN have yielded limited success.
Observation:
- A patient with persistent trigeminal post-herpetic neuralgia was identified.
Findings:
- Deep brain stimulation (DBS) was successfully employed to treat the patient.
- The DBS targeted the contralateral periventricular grey area (PVG) and ventral posterior lateral thalamic nucleus (VPL).
Implications:
- Deep brain stimulation presents a promising therapeutic option for refractory post-herpetic neuralgia.
- This case highlights the potential of neuromodulation in managing complex neuropathic pain conditions.