摘要:

BackgroundPostherpetic neuralgia remains a difficult problem to treat. A number of therapies have been shown to be effective, but some patients have intractable pain.PatientThe case of a 76-year-old woman whose pain had been resistant to standard therapies is described. The pattern of quantitative sensory testing results for this patient led the authors to believe that she had an “irritable nociceptor” type of pathophysiology.InterventionThe patient was instructed to apply neat peppermint oil (containing 10% menthol) to her skin, resulting in an almost immediate improvement in her pain. This pain relief persisted for 4–6 hours after application of the oil.ResultsThe patient was successfully treated with topical peppermint oil. During 2 months of follow-up she has had only a minor side effect, with continuing analgesia. The authors believe this is the first evidence of peppermint oil (or menthol) having a strong analgesic effect on neuropathic pain. The possible mechanisms of action of peppermint oil are discussed.

ISSN:0749-8047    

出版商:OVID    

年代:2002

数据来源: OVID

摘要:

ObjectiveThe objective of this case series was to determine if severe phantom limb pain could be reduced with oral methadone.DesignFour cases of phantom limb pain refractory to multiple treatment modalities were treated with oral methadone.SettingPain clinic at a major university medical center.PatientsFour patients with severe, intractable phantom limb pain.InterventionOral methadone was administered, starting with a low dose of 2 to 5 mg twice a day or three times a day and slowly titrated upward to achieve pain relief.Outcome MeasuresRepeated administration of a visual analog scale for pain.Results and ConclusionsAdministration of oral methadone may be of value in the treatment of phantom limb pain; controlled clinical trials would be appropriate to verify this observation.

ISSN:0749-8047    

出版商:OVID    

年代:2002

数据来源: OVID

ISSN:0749-8047    

出版商:OVID    

年代:2002

数据来源: OVID