Successful treatment of an intractable postherpetic neuralgia (PHN) using peripheral nerve field stimulation (PNFS)

Postherpetic neuralgia (PHN) is a chronic neuropathic pain syndrome that arises as a sequel of herpes zoaster eruption. The treatment of postherpetic neuralgia is medically challenging and often frustrating in some situation as the exact mechanism of neuralgia is poorly understood and multiple and complex pathophysiology is postulated requiring poly pharmacy, which itself leads to many side effects. Here, we present a successful management of supra-orbital PHN using peripheral nerve field stimulation (PNFS), which was refractory to the commonly used pharmacological treatment. After successful trial stimulation, permanent stimulator was placed successfully, patient medication were tapered off within 2 weeks. At present, patient is in 8-week poststimulation with excellent pain relief, without any side effect.