P Pu ur rp po os se e: : This report describes two cases of acute herpes zoster (AHZ) treated by nerve block resulting in immediate pain relief and possible prevention of post-herpetic neuralgia (PHN).C Cl li in ni ic ca al l f fe ea at tu ur re es s: : Two elderly females with AHZ of cervical dermatomes and severe pain received deep cervical and greater occipital nerve blocks with a local anesthetic, epinephrine and steroid. In both patients, pain resolved immediately and permanently (one year follow-up) after a single treatment.Case #1: A 79-yr-old female with a mechanical mitral valve and anticoagulated with warfarin presented with AHZ of 17 days duration of the right C2, 3, 4 dermatomes and severe pain. A stellate ganglion block was not performed because of anticoagulation. Rather, a deep cervical root block at C3 and a greater occipital nerve block were performed with bupivacaine, epinephrine and methylprednisolone. No adverse events were evident. Case #2: A 73-yr-old female with a history of osteoarthritis and Meniere's disease presented with AHZ of seven days duration of the left C2, 3, 4 dermatomes and severe pain. Deep cervical root blocks at C3 and C4 and a greater occipital nerve block were performed with bupivacaine, epinephrine and methylprednisolone. Side effects of dizziness, hoarseness, hypertension and Horner's syndrome resolved in a few hours. A mild sensation of itching persisted for two weeks.C Co on nc cl lu us si io on n: : This report illustrates the potential of nerve blocks in severe AHZ to treat acute pain and possibly prevent PHN. Objectif : Décrire deux cas d'herpès zoster aigu (HZA) traités par blocage nerveux résultant en un soulagement immédiat de la douleur et une prévention possible de la névralgie post-herpétique (NPH). Éléments cliniques : Deux femmes âgées souffrant d'HZA des dermatomes cervicaux et de douleurs sévères ont reçu un bloc des nerfs cervical profond et grand occipital avec un anesthésique local, de l'épinéphrine et des stéroïdes. Dans les deux cas, la douleur a été
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