Calandria L

Language: English
References: 7
Page: 13-16
PDF size: 181.90 Kb.

ABSTRACT

We used non-freezing techique (NFT) in 112 patients with post herpetic neuralgia, with similar results and as an extension to the previously published study (Calandria L, Cryoanalgesia for postherpetic neuralgia: a new treatment, Int J Derm2011, 50: 746-50).
In 93% of the cases we obtained an excellent (› 70%) or very good improvement in pain (30-70% improvement) and very mild responses (‹ 30%) or failure in 7% of cases.
We used liquid nitrogen in the form of NFT in 99 patients with post herpetic neuralgia and in 13 patients with acute evolution zoster neuralgia (one week to one month of neuralgia).
We believe that the technique offers a totally painless, ambulatory and rapidly effective treatment, using liquid nitrogen as a cooling factor in the area and non-freezing. The action is hypothesized to occur through the release of repairing cytokines from damaged nerve sheaths. Proudfoot et al. have been identified molecular receptors for cooling in sensory nerves, and they demonstrate there how activation of one of these, trpm8, produces profound and mechanically novel analgesia in states of chronic pain.
This technique (NFT) is performed through the skin and not by the exposure of the open-air nerve as previously rhizotomies were performed even by cryosurgery or minor interventional percutaneous balloon rithotomy.

REFERENCES

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