Clinical Study of Ultrasound-Guided Methylene Blue Thoracic Paravertebral Nerve Block for the Treatment of Postherpetic Neuralgia

AIM: To investigate the effect of ultrasound-guided methylene blue (MB) thoracic paravertebral nerve block (TPVB) on the treatment of postherpetic neuralgia (PHN). MATERIAL and METHODS: A total of 27 patients with PHN were treated with ultrasound-guided TPVB. The blocking drug used was an MB compound preparation, and several indexes were recorded, including pain visual analogue scores (VAS), dosage of oral analgesic required, plasma interleukin (IL)-6, tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha), and cortisol levels, basic viability, self-assessment, and satisfaction. RESULTS: The patients' VAS after TPVB were significantly reduced when compared to those before blocking. Furthermore, dosage of oral analgesic required, levels of plasma IL-6, TNF-alpha, and cortisol were reduced, and basic viability and self-assessments were significantly improved (p<0.05). The treatment method was effective, did not cause any adverse effects, and patients reported higher degrees of satisfaction. CONCLUSION: Ultrasound-guided TPVB exerts significant effects on PHN. The patients' degree of pain and dosage of oral analgesic required were reduced, basic patient viability was improved, and patients reported higher degrees of satisfaction.