Efficacy of local anaesthetic and steroid combination in prevention of post-herpetic neuralgia: A meta-analysis

Objective: The objective was to provide synthesized evidence on the efficacy of local anaesthetics and steroid injections for prevention and management of PHN, compared to the standard treatment using anti-viral and analgesic medications. The primary outcomes of interest were incidence of PHN and duration of neuralgic pain. Methods: Comprehensive searches were done systematically through PubMed, Scopus, Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials and Google scholar databases. Randomized controlled trials that compared the efficacy of local anaesthetics and steroid injections for preventing and managing PHN were included for this meta-analysis. A comprehensive search was done for papers published until 15th July 2021. Results: A total of 10 RCTs were included in the meta-analysis. In the overall pooled analyses, compared to standard care/placebo, those receiving a combination of local anaesthetic and steroid injection had 55% lower risk of PHN at 3 months from onset of rash (RR 0.45; 95% CI, 0.29; 0.70). Out of the different modes of intervention delivery i.e., intravenous, subcutaneous and nerve block, maximum beneficial effect in reducing the incidence of PHN was noted in nerve block (RR 0.55; 95% CI, 0.34, 0.89). Conclusions: The meta-analysis provides some evidence to support the use of combined local anaesthetic and steroids in reducing risk of post-herpetic neuralgia and duration of neuralgic pain in patients with herpes zoster rash. doi: https://doi.org/10.12669/pjms.38.3.5140 How to cite this:Zhang X, Wang Z, Xian Y. Efficacy of local anaesthetic and steroid combination in prevention of post-herpetic neuralgia: A meta-analysis. Pak J Med Sci. 2022;38(3):---------. doi: https://doi.org/10.12669/pjms.38.3.5140 This is an Open Access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0), which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited.

Herpes zoster following mRNA-1273 COVID-19 vaccination

Sir, Skin rashes have been associated with COVID-19 and studies suggest the inclusion of skin diseases in the list of COVID-19 symptoms. Skin eruptions are also associated with the mRNA-1273 COVID-19 vaccine. Findings by Baden et al. [1] describe immediate injection-site reactions observed in 84.2% of participants after the first dose, with delayed onset reactions—on or after day eight—occurring much more infrequently, 0.8% after the first dose and 0.2% after the second dose. Blumenthal et al. [2] discuss twelve cases of delayed vaccine reactions, with all patients experiencing reactions in the vaccination site. Herein, we describe two cases of herpes zoster within days of receiving their first mRNA-1273 vaccine. Both cases presented to the same dermatology clinic. A 77-year-old male presented with a bumpy, itchy, red rash on the upper right arm and axilla three days following an mRNA-1273 vaccine injection. The symptoms continued to worsen and the patient was clinically diagnosed with herpes zoster and treated with valacyclovir (Fig. 1). Another patient, also a 77-year-old male, complained of a rash located on the right upper arm and axilla. It was a red, itchy, bumpy rash that the patient developed two days after an mRNA-1273 vaccine injection (Fig. 2). Both rashes demonstrated a similar distribution pattern and both patients responded well to valacyclovir with the resolution of the erythema; however, one patient did have residual post-herpetic neuralgia.

Effectiveness of lidocaine patches in the treatment of post-herpetic neuralgia on the face: a systematic review and meta-analysis

The post-herpetic neuralgia (PHN) is one of the most chalenging neuropathies to resolve. There are many treatment options with varying degrees of effectiveness. This paper conducts a systematic review of the literature on lidocaine patches in the treatment of these neuralgia. A systematic review according to the PRISMA guidelines on lidocaine patches in the treatment of postherpetic neuralgia. The PROPERO registration has been carried out. A meta-analysis was performed with RevMan 5.3. Nine articles were included according to criteria. A table of excluded articles and their reason was carried out. Lidocaine patches are effective in treating post-herpetic neuralgia and are safer than other treatments, making them available for elderly patients with co-morbid conditions when other treatments cannot be used due to side effects. Lidocaine patches should be considered the first line therapy in the treatment of post-herpetic neuralgia of the face because of their safety and cost-benefit ratio.

Ramsay hunt syndrome- expect the unexpected: A case report

Herpes zoster represents a latent reactivation of the varicella zoster virus infection with a dermatomal pattern of eruption and complicated by post-herpetic neuralgia. Ramsay hunt syndrome is a rare complication of herpes zoster and it is not just a syndrome but it's rather an infectious disease. This syndrome is characterized by peripheral facial nerve palsy associated with an erythematous vesicular rash on the ear. It is characterized by unilateral pattern of facial involvement and presence of vesicles helps in early diagnosis and distinguish the syndrome with diseases mimicking other severe neurological diseases. This article reports a case of 56-year-old male patient who reported with a complaint of severe toothache, which serves as severe prodrome for reactivation of herpes zoster virus which later leads to Ramsay Hunt syndrome. This case report highlights about the management of herpes zoster and its complication and emphasizes on prevention of post herpetic neuralgia complication.

Safety, tolerability, and efficacy of a selective gabapentinoid mirogabalin in neuropathic pain—a topical review

Gabapentin and pregabalin, known as gabapentinoids, have been used effectively as a monotherapy or in combination with other agents for managing chronic neuropathic pain due to various etiologies. These drugs act via α2δ-1 and α2δ-2 subunits of voltage-gated calcium channels (VGCCs) non-selectively. Due to its non-selective action, a certain group of patients reports central nervous system adverse effects like dizziness, drowsiness, somnolence, and cerebellar ataxia.Mirogabalin besylate is an orally administered next-generation gabapentinoid approved for use in diabetic neuropathy and post-herpetic neuralgia. It binds selectively and with greater affinity to the α2δ-1 and α2δ-2 subunits of human VGCCs and thus has lesser central nervous system adverse events making it more tolerable. We reviewed all articles in various categories, published in reputed databases since 2014 where mirogabalin was used to treat chronic neuropathic pain. Case series and open-label studies have demonstrated the safety and efficacy of mirogabalin in cancer pain and lumbar spine disease. Pharmacokinetic/pharmacodynamic studies have cautioned using full dose in patients with renal/hepatic impairment and along with drugs that could lead to adverse effects like sedatives and opioids. Dose up to 30 mg/day when administered as a twice-daily divided dose has been tolerated quite well with adequate pain relief in diabetic neuropathy and post-herpetic neuralgia.Mirogabalin appears to be a safe gabapentinoid in diabetic neuropathy and post-herpetic neuralgia. Further studies need to be conducted to explore the role of mirogabalin in cancer pain, postoperative pain, and neuropathic pain due to various other etiologies.

Ramsay hunt syndrome- expect the unexpected: A case report

Herpes zoster represents a latent reactivation of the varicella zoster virus infection with a dermatomal pattern of eruption and complicated by post-herpetic neuralgia. Ramsay hunt syndrome is a rare complication of herpes zoster and it is not just a syndrome but it's rather an infectious disease. This syndrome is characterized by peripheral facial nerve palsy associated with an erythematous vesicular rash on the ear. It is characterized by unilateral pattern of facial involvement and presence of vesicles helps in early diagnosis and distinguish the syndrome with diseases mimicking other severe neurological diseases. This article reports a case of 56-year-old male patient who reported with a complaint of severe toothache, which serves as severe prodrome for reactivation of herpes zoster virus which later leads to Ramsay Hunt syndrome. This case report highlights about the management of herpes zoster and its complication and emphasizes on prevention of post herpetic neuralgia complication.