Zh Nevrol Psikhiatr Im S S Korsakova. 1998 ; 98(11): 4-8.

[Clinical course and treatment of herpetic trigeminal ganglionic neuropathy]

Grachev IuV, Kukushkin ML, Sudarikov AP, Zhuravlev VF, Gerasimenko MIu.

45 patients were observed in the periods of both acute herpes zoster and postherpetic neuralgia (PHN). In most of the patients herpetic eruptions were located in the areas of innervation of the first branch of the trigeminal nerve. In acute period of the disease there were used aciclovir, helepin or alpisarinum, antiherpetic immunoglobulin, deoxyribonuclease, non-narcotic analgetics were used. Of 28 patients residual PHN was observed in 6 cases, delayed PHN (during 3 months)--in 2 patients. The PHN development was characteristic for elderly patients, delayed request for medical care, concomitant diseases, eruptions with hemorrhagic component and secondary pyodermia and considerable residual sensory deficit. In therapy of PHN the most effective drugs were amitriptylin, non-narcotic analgetics, anticonvulsants as well as acupuncture and electroacupuncture. Relief of a typical deafferentation of pain syndrome was achieved by means of ultrasonic destruction of the trigeminal nucleus (one case). Early therapy of acute herpes zoster does not prevent completely PHN development, but it decreased considerably probability of its forming as well as the severity of its course.