Nerve blocks provide effective pain relief during topical photodynamic therapy for extensive facial actinic keratoses.

BACKGROUND

Photodynamic therapy (PDT) is a first-line therapeutic option for skin areas with multiple actinic keratoses (AKs). Its main drawback is the pain perceived during the irradiative phase, especially when treating field cancerization in the facial area. Effective pain-relieving strategies are needed.

AIM

To determine the effectiveness of peripheral nerve blocks in achieving pain relief during PDT for extensive facial AKs.

METHODS

In total, 16 patients with symmetrically distributed facial AKs, mainly on the forehead, were enrolled in the study. Nerve blocks were applied unilaterally, and the nonanaesthetized side of the treatment area served as control. Maximum pain during PDT was evaluated using a visual analogue scale (VAS). Pain experienced after PDT was evaluated by telephone interview within 2 weeks of treatment. Cure rates were assessed at follow-up at least 4 weeks after treatment.

RESULTS

Pain was significantly reduced on the anaesthetized side (P < 10(-8)). The mean +/- SEM VAS score on the blocked side of the face was 1.3 +/- 0.3 compared with 7.5 +/- 0.5 on the nonanaesthetized side. Pain relief persisted 1-2 h after PDT. The nerve block was generally not experienced as painful (14/16 patients). Almost all patients (15/16 patients) would like to receive nerve blocks bilaterally if future PDT were needed. Excellent clinical results were observed in all patients after 4-20 weeks.

CONCLUSION

Nerve blocks provide efficient pain relief during PDT when treating patients with field cancerization of the forehead. Nerve blocks were not found to affect the clinical outcome of PDT, and were generally well tolerated by the patients.