Topical aspirin in chloroform and the relief of pain due to herpes zoster and postherpetic neuralgia
R. B. King
Department of Neurosurgery, State University of New York Health Science Center, Syracuse, NY 13210.
OBJECTIVE--To determine pain patterns and relationships in patients with
herpes zoster and postherpetic neuralgia before and after topical
application of aspirin dissolved in chloroform applied to the painful skin
surface. DESIGN--A consecutive series of 42 patients examined and treated
in a uniform manner and followed up until their pain subsided or this
management mode failed. SETTING--An ambulatory referral private practice.
PATIENTS--All patients had pain due to herpes zoster or postherpetic
neuralgia and were referred for management of severe pain. None refused.
INTERVENTION--Topical application of crushed aspirin tablets dissolved in
chloroform. OUTCOME MEASURES--Short-Form McGill Pain Questionnaire.
RESULTS--All patients reported substantially decreased pain promptly after
treatment, with maximum relief at 20 to 30 minutes and lasting 2 to 4
hours. Patients gradually decreased the use of aspirin in chloroform as
pain abated. CONCLUSIONS--Topical aspirin dissolved in chloroform is an
effective means of reducing pain due to herpes zoster and postherpetic
neuralgia in most patients. The locus of pain origin and analgesia induced
by topical aspirin is most likely at cutaneous free-nerve ending pain
receptors. The mechanism responsible for the analgesic properties of
aspirin is probably not the same as that responsible for its
anti-inflammatory properties.
