Ultrasound-Guided Stellate Ganglion Block Combined with Extracorporeal Shock Wave Therapy on Postherpetic Neuralgia

Objectives. To evaluate the effect of ultrasound-guided stellate ganglion block combined with extracorporeal shock wave therapy (ESWT) on postherpetic neuralgia. Methods. Thirty-six patients with craniofacial postherpetic neuralgia, whose skin lesions were healed and natural course more than 1 month, were selected for the study and then randomly divided into 3 groups: the ultrasound-guided stellate ganglion block group (group A, n = 12), the extracorporeal shock wave therapy group (group B, n = 12), and the combined treatment group (group C, n = 12). Each group received basic drug treatment. The Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) and the Pain Disability Index (PDI) were used to evaluate the clinical effects of the 3 groups of patients before treatment, after twice treatments, after treatment for four times, and after treatment for six times. Results. The VAS and PDI were significantly declined in each group after the treatment (P < 0.05), and the declination in group C was more obvious than the other two groups (P < 0.05). After treatment for six times, the VAS score of group A, group B, and group C was 3.1 +/- 1.2, 3.3 +/- 1.3, and 1.9 +/- 0.7, respectively. After treatment for six times, the PDI of group A, group B, and group C was 11.7 +/- 8.4, 12.3 +/- 7.8, and 4.6 +/- 3.2, respectively. Three patients developed skin bruising and slight swelling, which were relieved by themselves. Conclusions. Ultrasound-guided stellate ganglion block combined with shock wave therapy could significantly improve the pain symptoms of patients with postherpetic neuralgia, which is a safe and effective treatment for postherpetic neuralgia.