Catalog

Postherpetic neuralgia

No MMS code

Link to WHO Definition

Postherpetic neuralgia – http://id.who.int/icd/entity/1797210650

Postherpetic neuralgia is defined as pain persisting for ≥ 3 months following the onset or healing of herpes zoster. The innervation territory of the first (ophthalmic) branch of the trigeminal nerve and thoracic dermatomes are the locations most frequently affected by chronic pain after herpes zoster. Postherpetic neuralgia may emerge in continuation of the acute pain associated with the skin rash or develop after a painless interval. Spontaneous pain may be continuous or manifest in intermittent episodes. Pain evoked as an increased response to a painful stimulus (hyperalgesia) or painful response to a normally nonpainful stimulus (allodynia) is also common. Negative (e.g., decreased or loss of sensation) and positive sensory symptoms or signs (e.g., allodynia or hyperalgesia) must be compatible with the innervation territory of the affected cranial nerve or peripheral dermatome (or dermatomes).