Percutaneous irradiation of low-power level laser to the stellate ganglion in facial postherpetic neuralgia

星状神経節近傍への低出力レーザー照射の除痛効果と顔面皮膚血流に及ぼす影響

Percutaneous irradiation of low-power level laser to the stellate ganglion in facial postherpetic neuralgia

Creators Yamamoto Tomohisa

Creators Sano Takanobu

Creators Funatsu Harumi

Creators Yamamoto Midori

Creators Tamura Hisashi

Creators Sakabe Takefumi

We evaluated the efficacy of percutaneous irradiation of low-power level laser to the the stellate ganglion in six patients with facial postherpetic neuralgia. Pain score and facial skin blood flow were determined following 30 min-irradiation. Flow measurements were also performed in six healthy volunteers. Skin blood flow was increased by 21%～73% in five patients and pain relief was obtained in four out of the five. Horner's syndrome was not observed in any patients. Skin blood flow was increased by 40%～375% in three volunteers and one exhibited the ipsilateral Horner's syndrome. The present results suggest that percutaneous irradiation of low-power level laser to the stellate ganglion provides a sympatholytic effect and has therapeutic potentials in patients with facial postherpetic neuralgia.

[ISSN]0513-1731

[NCID]AN00243156