A novel treatment for herpes zoster pain using an electrical stimulating catheter with a steering guidewire

Herpes zoster is caused by reactivation of latent varicella-zoster virus in the trigeminal or dorsal root ganglion. Reactivation of the virus results in inflammation, a local immune response, and destruction of affected central and peripheral nerves [1]. Severe zoster pain can cause physical disability and emotional distress. The severity of acute zoster pain is a risk factor for postherpetic neuralgia [2]. Therefore, effective treatment of zoster pain is important to prevent negative sequelae. By delivering therapeutic agents directly into targeted spinal segment, accurate epidural drug delivery can maximize the desired effects while minimizing adverse systemic effects.

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