Stellate Ganglion Block (stellate + ganglion_block)

Distribution by Scientific Domains
Distribution within Medical Sciences


Selected Abstracts


Facial Pain: A Possible Therapy with Stellate Ganglion Block

PAIN MEDICINE, Issue 7 2008
Ilaria Salvaggio MD
ABSTRACT Objective., The goal of the present study is to verify the efficacy of stellate ganglion block (SGB) in the treatment of facial pain that can be found in different pathological syndromes, and also to examine whether the efficacy is dependent upon when this therapy is administered. Patients., Fifty patients (divided into two randomized groups) with facial pain caused by traumas, iatrogenic issues, herpes zoster, or neurological pathologies participated in this study. Design and Interventions., The first group (N = 25) was treated with SGB produced by 10 administrations of 10 mg of levobupivacaine given every other day, followed by one administration per month for 6 months thereafter. The second group was treated with the drugs tramadol 100 mg/day and gabapentin 1800 mg/day orally for 6 months; during the 7th month they were given SGB therapy using the same methodology as that described for the first group. Results., Before treatment, the mean visual analog scale (VAS) pain score for the first group was 8.89; after the 10th block treatment it was just 0.2, and it remained at that reduced level for the 6th and 12th months. Before treatment, the mean VAS pain score for the second group was 8.83; after the 20th day on medication it was reduced to 4.1, after 6 months it was 5.7 and after 12 months it was 4.9. Conclusions., Our results indicate that patients must be treated with SGB therapy precociously to receive its full benefits. [source]


In Search of an Effective Treatment for Combat-Related Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD): Can the Stellate Ganglion Block Be the Answer?

PAIN PRACTICE, Issue 4 2010
Eugene Lipov MD
No abstract is available for this article. [source]


An Unusual Complication of Sinus Arrest Following Right-Sided Stellate Ganglion Block: A Case Report

PAIN PRACTICE, Issue 3 2004
Ashok K. Saxena MD
Abstract: We present a case of a 29-year-old female patient who had presented to us for the management of her chronic right shoulder,hand pain and developed a sinus arrest following a right-sided stellate ganglion block (RSGB). This patient on receiving a diagnostic RSGB via the anterior paratracheal (C6) approach developed sinus arrest followed by apnea and unconsciousness. On institution of resuscitative measures involving tracheal intubation, positive pressure ventilation, cardiac massage, and intravenous atropine, spontaneous cardiac activity recovered in about 3 minutes. Other signs and symptoms resolved fully in a total of 10 minutes. She had persistent postural hypotension lasting for about 24 hours requiring bed rest and was discharged about 36 hours after the procedure, without any adverse sequelae. As the sinus node is supplied by the right-sided sympathetic chain, its blockade probably resulted in unopposed parasympathetic activity leading to asystole. Available evidence of the role of right stellate ganglion in regulation of cardiac electrophysiology and functioning is also discussed. [source]


Assessment of diaphragm function after stellate ganglion block using magnetic stimulation

ANAESTHESIA, Issue 1 2002
R. J. Sawyer
Stellate ganglion block is a procedure frequently used for the management of patients with chronic sympathetically mediated pain affecting the arm, neck or head. We studied the effect of stellate ganglion block on ipsilateral phrenic nerve function, and hence diaphragmatic strength, in 11 adult patients with chronic sympathetically mediated pain. Pre- and post-block forced vital capacity (FVC) measurements were recorded using a pneumotachograph and a Magstim nerve stimulator was used to generate pre- and post-block twitch mouth pressures (PTWM). This device can be used to stimulate the phrenic nerves and hence the diaphragm. The resulting change in airway pressure was measured at the mouth and has previously been shown to reflect diaphragm strength. There was no statistically significant difference in FVC or PTWM pre- or post stellate ganglion block. In conclusion, a stellate ganglion block has no adverse effect on ipsilateral phrenic nerve function or diaphragm strength in healthy adult patients. [source]


Effects of linearly polarized 0.6,1.6 ,M irradiation on stellate ganglion function in normal subjects and people with complex regional pain (CRPS I)

LASERS IN SURGERY AND MEDICINE, Issue 5 2003
Jeffrey R. Basford MD
Abstract Background and Objectives Stellate ganglion blocks are an effective but invasive treatment of upper extremity pain. Linearly polarized red and near-infrared (IR) light is promoted as a safe alternative to this procedure, but its effects are poorly established. This study was designed to assess the physiological effects of this latter approach and to quantitate its benefits in people with upper extremity pain due to Complex Regional Pain Syndrome I (CRPS I, RSD). Study Design/Materials and Methods This was a two-part study. In the first phase, six adults (ages 18,60) with normal neurological examinations underwent transcutaneous irradiation of their right stellate ganglion with linearly polarized 0.6,1.6 ,m light (0.92 W, 88.3 J). Phase two consisted of a double-blinded evaluation of active and placebo radiation in 12 subjects (ages 18,72) of which 6 had upper extremity CRPS I and 6 served as "normal" controls. Skin temperature, heart rate (HR), sudomotor function, and vasomotor tone were monitored before, during, and for 30 minutes following irradiation. Analgesic and sensory effects were assessed over the same period as well as 1 and 2 weeks later. Results Three of six subjects with CRPS I and no control subjects experienced a sensation of warmth following active irradiation (P,=,0.025). Two of the CRPS I subjects reported a >50% pain reduction. However, four noted minimal or no change and improvement did not reach statistical significance for the group as a whole. No statistically significant changes in autonomic function were noted. There were no adverse consequences. Conclusions Irradiation is well tolerated. There is a suggestion in this small study that treatment is beneficial and that its benefits are not dependent on changes in sympathetic tone. Further evaluation is warranted. Lasers Surg. Med. 32:417,423, 2003. © 2003 Wiley-Liss, Inc. [source]


Transient locked-in syndrome resulting from stellate ganglion block in the treatment of patients with sudden hearing loss

ACTA ANAESTHESIOLOGICA SCANDINAVICA, Issue 4 2003
M. Tüz
Stellate ganglion blockage (SGB) is a local anesthetic procedure intended to block the lower cervical and upper thoracic sympathetic chain and is one of the treatment modalities for a wide range of disorders such as sudden hearing loss, Menier's disease, stroke, sudden blindness, shoulder/hand syndrome and vascular headache. The complications of SGB are recurrent laryngeal or phrenic nerve block, pneumothorax, unconsciousness, respiratory paralysis, convulsions and sometimes severe arterial hypotension. We present a case with transient locked-in syndrome following SGB for the management of sudden hearing loss. The risk of an intra-arterial injection can be eliminated by rotating the needle, as is described in this report. [source]


Facial Pain: A Possible Therapy with Stellate Ganglion Block

PAIN MEDICINE, Issue 7 2008
Ilaria Salvaggio MD
ABSTRACT Objective., The goal of the present study is to verify the efficacy of stellate ganglion block (SGB) in the treatment of facial pain that can be found in different pathological syndromes, and also to examine whether the efficacy is dependent upon when this therapy is administered. Patients., Fifty patients (divided into two randomized groups) with facial pain caused by traumas, iatrogenic issues, herpes zoster, or neurological pathologies participated in this study. Design and Interventions., The first group (N = 25) was treated with SGB produced by 10 administrations of 10 mg of levobupivacaine given every other day, followed by one administration per month for 6 months thereafter. The second group was treated with the drugs tramadol 100 mg/day and gabapentin 1800 mg/day orally for 6 months; during the 7th month they were given SGB therapy using the same methodology as that described for the first group. Results., Before treatment, the mean visual analog scale (VAS) pain score for the first group was 8.89; after the 10th block treatment it was just 0.2, and it remained at that reduced level for the 6th and 12th months. Before treatment, the mean VAS pain score for the second group was 8.83; after the 20th day on medication it was reduced to 4.1, after 6 months it was 5.7 and after 12 months it was 4.9. Conclusions., Our results indicate that patients must be treated with SGB therapy precociously to receive its full benefits. [source]


An Unusual Complication of Sinus Arrest Following Right-Sided Stellate Ganglion Block: A Case Report

PAIN PRACTICE, Issue 3 2004
Ashok K. Saxena MD
Abstract: We present a case of a 29-year-old female patient who had presented to us for the management of her chronic right shoulder,hand pain and developed a sinus arrest following a right-sided stellate ganglion block (RSGB). This patient on receiving a diagnostic RSGB via the anterior paratracheal (C6) approach developed sinus arrest followed by apnea and unconsciousness. On institution of resuscitative measures involving tracheal intubation, positive pressure ventilation, cardiac massage, and intravenous atropine, spontaneous cardiac activity recovered in about 3 minutes. Other signs and symptoms resolved fully in a total of 10 minutes. She had persistent postural hypotension lasting for about 24 hours requiring bed rest and was discharged about 36 hours after the procedure, without any adverse sequelae. As the sinus node is supplied by the right-sided sympathetic chain, its blockade probably resulted in unopposed parasympathetic activity leading to asystole. Available evidence of the role of right stellate ganglion in regulation of cardiac electrophysiology and functioning is also discussed. [source]


Cardiac arrest following stellate ganglion block performed under ultrasound guidance

ANAESTHESIA, Issue 10 2010
S. Rastogi
No abstract is available for this article. [source]


Assessment of diaphragm function after stellate ganglion block using magnetic stimulation

ANAESTHESIA, Issue 1 2002
R. J. Sawyer
Stellate ganglion block is a procedure frequently used for the management of patients with chronic sympathetically mediated pain affecting the arm, neck or head. We studied the effect of stellate ganglion block on ipsilateral phrenic nerve function, and hence diaphragmatic strength, in 11 adult patients with chronic sympathetically mediated pain. Pre- and post-block forced vital capacity (FVC) measurements were recorded using a pneumotachograph and a Magstim nerve stimulator was used to generate pre- and post-block twitch mouth pressures (PTWM). This device can be used to stimulate the phrenic nerves and hence the diaphragm. The resulting change in airway pressure was measured at the mouth and has previously been shown to reflect diaphragm strength. There was no statistically significant difference in FVC or PTWM pre- or post stellate ganglion block. In conclusion, a stellate ganglion block has no adverse effect on ipsilateral phrenic nerve function or diaphragm strength in healthy adult patients. [source]