title: [Short and mid-term effectiveness of paravertebral adriamycin injection under CT guidance on intractable postherpetic neuralgia].
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To determine the short and mid-term effect of paravertebral adriamycin injection under CT guidance on intractable postherpetic neuralgia (PHN).
  
  
  METHODS
  From January 2010 to May 2012, 68 patients with intractable PHN receiving paravertebral adriamycin injection under CT guidance were enrolled. The outcome included the Quality of Life Score (QLS), Visual Analogue Score (VAS) (average, the worst and the least VAS), pain relief rate at the time before and after the injection, and 1 year after discharge.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Lower VAS was observed after the injection than that before the injection [(3.5 ± 1.5) vs (7.9 ± 1.3) on average; (2.1 ± 0.9) vs (6.5 ± 1.7) at least and (4.5 ± 1.4) vs (9.2 ± 1.1) at worst, P<0.05]. Lower VAS at 1 year after discharge was found than that before the injection [(2.2 ± 1.8) vs (7.9 ± 1.3) on average; (1.5 ± 0.8) vs (6.5 ± 1.7) at least; (3.2 ± 1.6) vs (9.2 ± 1.1) at worst ] and that after the injection [(3.5 ± 1.5) vs (2.2 ± 1.8) on average; (1.5 ± 0.8) vs (2.1 ± 0.9) at least and (3.2 ± 1.6) vs (4.5 ± 1.4) at worst, P<0.05]. The pain relief rate after the injection was (68 ± 23)%. The pain relief rate at 1 year after discharge (81 ± 22)% was higher than that at discharge (68 ± 23)% (P<0.05). The quality of life evaluation index scale after the injection (daily life, diet, general activities, sleep, work and social activities) was significantly improved than that before the injection [(10.1 ± 2.2) vs (14.2 ± 1.9), P<0.05]. The quality of life evaluation index scale at 1 year after discharge was significantly improved than that before the injection [(7.0 ± 2.1) vs (14.2 ± 1.9)] and that after the injection [(7.0 ± 2.1) vs (10.1 ± 2.2), P<0.05]. No complication was observed when the patients were discharged and 1 year after discharge.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Paravertebral adriamycin injection under CT guidance for intractable PHN can effectively relieve the patient's pain, improve the quality of sleep and life without obvious complications. It is safe and effective for intractable PHN.
authors.affiliation: Department of Anesthesiology, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu 610041,China.
authors.forename: Qi
authors.initials: Q
authors.lastname: Li
authors.forename: Aimin
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Feng
authors.forename: Hong
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Xiao
authors.forename: Jun
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Li
authors.forename: Hui
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Liu
mesh_terms: D004317:Doxorubicin / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D006801:Humans; D051474:Neuralgia, Postherpetic / Q000188:drug therapy*; D010147:Pain Measurement; D011788:Quality of Life
chemical_list: D004317:Doxorubicin