Abstract
A 71-year-old male developed acute herpes zoster (AHZ) of the left Th10-11 dermatomes. After 3 days the same rash occurred on the right Th5-6 dermatomes, and he was admitted to our clinic. Acyclovir administration, and continuous epidural analgesia and nerve root blocks (Th10-11) were performed. He obtained pain relief of the left Th10-11 dermatomes with nerve blocks after approximately 1 month, but the pain affecting the right Th5-6 dermatomes without nerve blocks progressed to postherpetic neuralgia (PHN). We speculate that early treatment of AHZ with nerve blocks may prevent progression of PHN.
