Corticosteroids suppress ectopic neural discharge originating in experimental neuromas

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Abstract
Some injured sensory fibers ending in an experimental neuroma in the rat sciatic nerve discharge spontaneously. Many become sensitive to a range of physical and chemical stimuli. The resulting afferent barrage is thought to contribute to paresthesias and pain associated with peripheral nerve injury. The development of such ectopic neuroma discharge is reported to be largely prevented when the freshly cut nerve end is treated with any of 3 commercially available corticosteroid preparations including 2 in depot form, triamcinolone hexacetonide (Lederspan) and triamcinolone diacetate (Ledercort), and one in soluble form, dexamethasone (Dexacort). These corticosteroids also produce a rapid and prolonged suppression of ongoing discharge in chronic neurons that have already become active. The kinetics of corticosteroid suppression of neuroma discharge suggest a direct membrane action rather than an anti-inflammatory action.