Systemic lidocaine silences ectopic neuroma and DRG discharge without blocking nerve conduction

Abstract

Ectopic discharge failed to block the initiation or propagation of impulses by electrical stimulation, and only minimally affected normal sensory receptors. This selectivity may account for the effectiveness of systemic local anesthetics and other drugs that share the same mechanism of action (notably certain anticonvulsants and antiarrhythmics), in the management of neuropathic paresthesias and pain. In addition, it may account for the prolonged analgesia sometimes obtained using regional local anesthetic block. ∗Correspondence to: Prof. M. Devor, Life Sciences Institute, Hebrew University, Jerusalem, Israel. Tel.: 972-2-585085. Fax: 972-2-520261. (Received and accepted 21 June 1991.) © Lippincott-Raven Publishers....