• Ruxiang Wang, Zhangtian Xia, Ying Ma, Bing Huang, Ming Yao, and Ling Ma.
• Department of Anesthesiology, Bengbu Medical University, Bengbu.
• Clin J Pain. 2024 Aug 1; 40 (8): 469477469-477.

ObjectivesTo investigate the efficacy and safety of pulsed radiofrequency of the dorsal root ganglion combined with ozone injection for treating acute herpes zoster (HZ) neuralgia in middle-aged and elderly adults.MethodsA total of 164 middle-aged and elderly patients with acute HZ were randomly assigned to 2 groups: the pulsed radiofrequency combined with ozone injection group (group A) and the pulsed radiofrequency group (group B). The therapeutic effects were evaluated using Numeric Rating Scale (NRS) scores and the average doses of gabapentin (mg/d) preoperatively and 1 day, 2 weeks, 4 weeks, 12 weeks, and 24 weeks postoperatively. The incidence of clinically significant postherpetic neuralgia (PHN) and complications in the 2 groups were recorded.ResultsThe data showed that the NRS scores and the doses of gabapentin after treatment were significantly lower when compared with the baseline values in both groups. Compared with group B, the NRS scores and the doses of postoperative gabapentin were significantly lower in group A. The incidence of PHN was significantly lower at weeks 4, 12, and 24 in group A than in group B. No adverse reactions occurred in either of the 2 groups post-treatment.ConclusionsThe results indicated that ozone injection in the dorsal root ganglion combined with pulsed radiofrequency therapy was more effective in treating acute HZ neuralgia in middle-aged and elderly adults. It provides patients with longer-lasting pain relief, decreased incidence of PHN and the doses of medication, and improved quality of life than with Pulsed Radiofrequency treatment.Copyright © 2024 The Author(s). Published by Wolters Kluwer Health, Inc.

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