TITLE:
A Case Study in the Use of Capsaicin in the Treatment of Neuropathic Chest Wall Pain and Post-thoracotomy Intercostal Neuralgia
AUTHORS:
Charles Roberts, Leonard Morgan, Kanisha Hall, Prashant Kumar, Stacy J. Smith
KEYWORDS:
Post-thoracotomy Neuralgia; Capsaicin; Qutenza®
JOURNAL NAME:
Open Journal of Anesthesiology,
Vol.2 No.4,
September
4,
2012
ABSTRACT: Off label use of Quetenza? (capsaicin 8%) patch in relieving post-thoracotomy neuropathic pain proved temporarily effective, but to a degree indicating limited usefulness in a clinical setting.A 57 year-old male with chronic post-thoracotomy pain was treated with 8% capsaicin topically. Pre-procedure pain was rated as 8 on a 10 point scale, the 30 minute post procedure pain was reported as 2 - 3 on a 10 point scale. Neuralgia was completely resolved for the initial 48 hours post-procedure, then returned gradually over the next 5 days. Because pain transmission pathways are the same in post herpetic and post traumatic neuralgias, the use of 8% capsaicin merits additional study.