Postherpetic neuralgia: topical lidocaine is effective in nociceptor-deprived skin.
OBJECTIVE
Topical lidocaine is effective in postherpetic neuralgia (PHN). The aim of the present investigation was to classify patients according to their predominant peripheral nociceptor function and to compare these data with the results of a controlled study using dermal lidocaine patch.


METHODS
Within the skin area of maximal pain QST (thermotest) and QCART (histamine iontophoresis and laser Doppler flowmetry) were performed prospectively in 18 PHN patients. A controlled study using cutaneous lidocaine (lidocaine 5% patch, IBSA) followed.


RESULTS
Six patients (group I, sensitised nociceptors) had no sensory loss. Heat pain thresholds were equal or lower than on the contralateral side. Histamine-induced flare and axon reflex vasodilatation were not different on both sides. Histamine evoked pain increased. In 12 patients (group II, nociceptor impairment) heat pain thresholds were higher than contralateral. Histamine-induced flare was impaired or abolished. Histamine did not induce any sensation. Lidocaine was efficacious in the entire group of patients. Subgroup analysis revealed that patients with impairment of nociceptor function had significantly greater pain reduction under lidocaine vs placebo. Patients with preserved and sensitised nociceptors demonstrated no significant pain relief.


CONCLUSIONS
PHN patients differ concerning their cutaneous nociceptor function: In the group I pain is caused by pathologically sensitised nociceptors. In subset II there is a loss of function of cutaneous C-nociceptors within the allodynic skin. Patients responded well to topical lidocaine even if the skin was completely deprived of nociceptors. Different underlying mechanisms of lidocaine action in nociceptor-deprived skin are discussed.
Wasner
Gunnar
G
Dept. of Neurological Pain Research and Therapy, Neurological Clinic, Universitätsklinikum Schleswig-Holstein, Campus Kiel, Schittenhelmstrasse 10, 24105 Kiel, Germany. g.wasner@neurologie.uni-kiel.de
Kleinert
Anne
A
Binder
Andreas
A
Schattschneider
Jörn
J
Baron
Ralf
R
D000279:Administration, Cutaneous; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000779:Anesthetics, Local / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D005260:Female; D006562:Herpes Zoster / Q000150:complications; D006632:Histamine / Q000009:adverse effects; D006801:Humans; D007478:Iontophoresis / Q000379:methods; D017078:Laser-Doppler Flowmetry / Q000009:adverse effects; D008012:Lidocaine / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009437:Neuralgia / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000209:etiology; D009475:Neurons, Afferent / Q000502:physiology; D009619:Nociceptors / Q000503:physiopathology*; D010147:Pain Measurement; D017288:Pain Threshold / Q000502:physiology; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012867:Skin / Q000294:innervation* / Q000503:physiopathology; D018709:Statistics, Nonparametric
D000779:Anesthetics, Local; D006632:Histamine; D008012:Lidocaine