Immediate and sustained relief of postherpetic neuralgia with erector spinae nerve block in a 60-year-old woman

Introduction

The erector spinae plane block (ESPB) is a relatively new regional anesthetic procedure that provides analgesia below the erector spinae muscles in an interfascial plane. The indications for its use continue to expand as we learn more about this block.

Case

We report a case of a 60 year old woman presenting to the emergency department (ED) with severe intractable pain after recent onset of herpes zoster infection. Pain was not controlled after nine prior visits, which included prescriptions of antiviral therapy and multiple classes of oral and topical medications. After one session using an erector spinae plane block, the patient had nearly complete resolution of pain both immediately and subsequently for nearly 9 months.

Conclusions

The erector spinae block is a safe and cost-effective intervention in refractory postherpetic neuralgia.