Abstract:

Objective To compare the efficacy and safety of peripheral nerve pulsed radiofrequency and short ⁃term spinal cord stimulation in the treatment of postherpetic neuralgia. Methods The research subjects were 109 patients with postherpetic neuralgia who were treated in the Department of Pain at Southwest Medical University′s Affiliated Hospital from January 2020 to January 2022. Based on propensity score matching，peripheral nerve pulse radiofrequency（26 cases in the radiofrequency group）was compared with that in the radiofrequency group. Short⁃term spinal cord stimulation（26 cases in the electrical stimulation group）. The electrical stimulation group received treatment with implanted electrodes under the supervision of DSA，while the radiofrequency group received treatment with peripheral nerve pulsed radiofrequency under the supervision of ultrasonography. The Numerical Rating Scale（NRS）and Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index（PSQI）scores were compared at 1 week after surgery and at 1，3，and 6 months after surgery，and complications were observed. Results The NRS and PSQI scores of the two groups decreased after operation compared to preoperative（all P < 0.05）. The NRS score of the electrical stimulation group was lower at 1 month after surgery compared to the radiofrequency group（P < 0.05）； There was no significant difference in the NRS score between the two groups at 1 week，3 and 6 months after surgery. The NRS score of the electrical stimulation group was lower at 1 month after surgery compared to the radiofrequency group（P < 0.05）. Conclusion Both peripheral nerve pulsed radiofrequency and spinal cord electrical stimulation can effectively relieve pain in postherpetic neuralgia patients，there was no difference in mid⁃ and long⁃term effica⁃ cy，and the incidence of peripheral nerve pulsed radiofrequency under ultrasound guidance is low.

Key words:

postherpetic neuralgia, pulsed radio frequency, spinal cord stimulation, peripheral nerves, ultrasound