Abstract
. There was a predilection for involvement of the ophthalmic division of the trigeminal nerve and for mid-thoracic dermatomes. The pain descriptors chosen reflected both steady and brief paroxysmal components in most patients. Scarring, sensory loss and the exaggerated sensations of hyperesthesia, dysesthesia and allodynia were common findings. Hyperalgesia and hyperpathia were less common. From these open-label, uncontrolled data, antidepressants (amitriptyline and nortriptyline) appeared useful in about 60% of patients. Topical capsaicin seemed to be a promising new approach. A variety of other pharmacological agents and treatment approaches were less successful. Many patients with PHN even of long standing continued to improve with time. ∗Correspondence to: C. Peter N. Watson, M.D., Smythe Pain Clinic, Toronto General Hospital, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ont. M5G 2C4, Canada. (Received 31 March 1988; revised 12 July 1988; accepted 15 July 1988.) © Lippincott-Raven Publishers....