# Ultrasound-Guided Pulsed Radiofrequency in the Anterior Femoral Cutaneous Nerves to Treat Postherpetic Neuralgia in Anteromedial Thigh: A Case Report

## TL;DR

A case report shows that pulsed radiofrequency on a specific nerve helped relieve chronic pain from shingles in a patient's thigh.

## Contribution

Demonstrates PRF applied to peripheral nerves as a viable treatment for refractory postherpetic neuralgia.

## Key findings

- PRF applied to the anterior femoral cutaneous nerves provided significant pain relief for PHN in the anteromedial thigh.
- Targeting peripheral nerves with PRF is a safe and effective alternative for treating localized PHN.
- This case suggests a potential expansion of PRF application beyond the dorsal root ganglion for PHN treatment.

## Abstract

Postherpetic neuralgia (PHN) is a typical neuropathic pain after the eruption of the herpes zoster (HZ) rash. Pulsed radiofrequency (PRF) represents a minimally invasive, target-selective neuromodulatory intervention for PHN, with the dorsal root ganglion (DRG) serving as its primary therapeutic target. However, there is a paucity of evidence about the application of PRF to target peripheral nerves to treat PHN, which is easier to access with a lower risk of complications. We describe the successful management of a case by using PRF in the anterior femoral cutaneous nerves (AFCNs) to treat PHN in the anteromedial thigh in a 70-year-old male. This report highlights that PRF directed at peripheral nerves could also yield significant pain relief in chronic localized refractory PHN. Targeting peripheral nerves with PRF emerges as a viable treatment strategy for this patient population.