Superficial Cervical Plexus Block for Acute Herpes Zoster at C3-4 Dermatome

Abstract

A 50-year-old man visited our pain clinic due to acute herpes zoster with rash occurred 10 days ago. The crusts formed and covered left C3-4 dermatome. Neuroaxial block was worried about infection. Superficial cervical plexus block (SCPB) was performed at left C4 level twice for a month with 1% lidocaine 20 mL and triamcinolone 20 mg. After SCPB, pain and itching were reduced and the patient could sleep at night without awakening. But pregabaline 150 ㎎/day was kept due to mild to moderate pain and itching 7 months later from rash. In this case, SCPB was effective method to reduce acute pain and itching but it could not prevent postherpetic neuralgia.