• The Korean Journal of Pain
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• v.14 no.1
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• pp.37-40
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• 2001

Background: It had been reported by authors that linear polarized infrared light radiation (Superizer: SL) near the stellate ganglion had a similar effect on the change of skin temperature of hand compared with the stellate ganglion block (SGB). We hypothesized that this was due to dilatation of vessels and an increased blood flow. The aim of this study was to measure the velocity of blood flow in peripheral vessels after linear polarized infrared light radiation near the stellate ganglion and to compare the effect of SL with that of SGB using local anesthetics. Methods: Forty patients whose clinical criteria were matched for the symptoms of SGB were selected for study. We radiated the stellate ganglion by linear polarized infrared light radiation and measured the blood flow of radial artery using Ultrasound Doppler blood flow meter before and after 10, 20 and 30 minutes post-radiation. After 3 days, SGB was performed using 8 ml of 1% mepivacaine to the same patient, and the radial artery blood flow was measured in the same manner. Results: The blood flow velocity was increased by 40% and 27% at 10 min and 20 min after SL and by 42% and 41% at 10 min and 20 min after SGB. However, there was no statistically significant difference in blood flow velocity between SGL and SGB. Conclusions: We could conclude that linear polarized radiation is a clinically simple and useful noninvasive therapeutic tool in clinical area.

• The Korean Journal of Pain
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• v.10 no.1
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• pp.121-123
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• 1997

Stellate ganglion block(SGB) is frequently performed to relieve a patient from headache of various. We experienced a rare case of subarachnoid hemorrhage by aneurysmal rupture after SGB. A 46-year-old female patient diagnosed with tension headache, and normal MRI finding consulted our pain clinic. We performed right SGB in combination with greater occipital nerve block. The next day, we performed left SGB with 6 ml of 0.25% bupivacaine. She had no evidence of subarachnoid block or intravascular injection. 15 minutes after injection, she abruptly developed convulsion and loss of consciousness. She was given artificial respiration with oxygen. The diagnosis of ruptured left posterior communicating aneurysm was confirmed by 4-vessels angiography.

• The Korean Journal of Pain
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• v.8 no.1
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• pp.55-59
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• 1995

Stellate ganglion block (SGB) is applicated frequently to increase the blood flow and to reduce the pain in head, neck and upper extremity. The effects of SGB are able to be estimated by clinical signs and symptoms of Horner's syndrome, skin warmth, anhydrosis, etc. The effects are also estimated by sympathetic function and the blood flow. Blood flow velocities and pulsatility indices of common carotid,d axillary, brachial and radial artery were measured by Doppler flowmeter after SGB with 1% lidocaine at C6 level. Blood velocities of all arteries were increased and pulsatility indices of all arteries were decreased. This results suggest that SGB increase the blood flow of head and upper extremity and Doppler flowmeter is a good indicator of the effects of SGB.

• The Korean Journal of Pain
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• v.9 no.1
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• pp.248-250
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• 1996

Stellate ganglion block(SGB), cervicothoracic sympathetic block, is the most widely practiced procedure in pain clinics. We experienced a case of 47 year old male patient who had received SGB & developed prolonged complication of Horner's syndrome. The patient was an anesthesiologist at our clinic who's medical history was unremarkable except mild hypertension. He wanted to experience the general effect of SGB and to evaluate the influence of SGB on blood pressure. After 15 days, he recovered spontaneously from Horner's syndrome. As with this case, it is necessary to assure patients they will recover from complications within several months, at the longest, without any sequelae.

• The Korean Journal of Pain
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• v.23 no.2
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• pp.142-146
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• 2010

Background: Stellate ganglion block (SGB) is known to increase blood flow to the innervations area of the stellate ganglion. Near infrared spectroscopy reflects an increased blood volume and allows continuous, non-invasive, and bedside monitoring of regional cerebral oxygen saturation ($rSO_2$). We investigated the influence of SGB on bilateral cerebral oxygenation using a near infrared spectroscopy. Methods: SGB was performed on 30 patients with 1% lidocaine 10 ml using a paratracheal technique at the C6 level and confirmed by the presence of Horner's syndrome. The blood pressure (BP), heart rate (HR) and rSO2 were measured before SGB and 5, 10, 15 and 20 minutes after SGB. Tympanic temperature of each ear was measured prior to SGB and 20 minutes after SGB. Results: The increments of the $rSO_2$ on the block side from the baseline were statistically significant at 5, 10, 15 and 20 minutes. The $rSO_2$ on the non-block side compared with the baseline, however, decreased at 15 and 20 minutes. The difference between the block and the non-block sides was significant at 15 and 20 minutes. The BP at 10, 15 and 20 minutes was increased and the HR was increased at 10 and 15 minutes. Conclusions: We observed an increment of the $rSO_2$ on the block side from the baseline; however, the $rSO_2$ on the non-block side decreased.

• The Korean Journal of Pain
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• v.2 no.1
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• pp.49-56
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• 1989

Bell's palsy is not a serious disease and recovery is spontaneous in more half of the patients, but this recovery is long delayed in many instances and the cosmetic effect of an altered facial appearance is psychologically distressing. The etiology is unknown, but Kettle's ischemic hypothesis has been widely accepted. The aim of treatment is to reduce edema and improve circulation to the facial nerve. Stellate ganglion block (SGB) resulted in abolishing cerebral vascular spasm and in increasing cerebral blood flow. Thus, stellate ganglion block is effective in treatment of Bell's palsy. From 1978 to Oct. 1988, we have treated 222 patients (20 patients were recurred cases) with facial palsy by SGB and analysed the effect of SGB. We noticed that SGB was very effective in early repetitive treatment (90% recovery). This study is reported and the literature is reviewed.

• The Korean Journal of Pain
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• v.8 no.2
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• pp.367-370
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• 1995

We experienced two case of persistent Horner's syndrome which might be side effect of stellate ganglin block(SGB). Case one, a 35 year old male patient with severe pain and hyperesthesia of the right thumb. We performed repeated SGB with 1% mepivacaine 5 ml on the right side daily. After 9 times of SGB, he had continued ptosis, photophobia for one month and miosis for 6 months. Second case, the patients was a 21 year old male. He visited at our pain clinic to be cured of both sudden deafness which had begun two week ago. We performed SGB on both sides alternatively twice a day. About a week later, hearing ability of the left ear was recovered. After then we performed SGB only the right side. 34 SGB was performed in two months after that he got persistent Horner's syndrome.

• The Korean Journal of Pain
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• v.10 no.1
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• pp.54-57
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• 1997

Background : The tonsillar region is innervated by the sensory components of the glossopharyngeal nerve(IX) which communicates with certain part of cervical sympathetic ganglion. Some authors suggest stellate ganglion block(SGB) is effective for treatment of recurrent tonsillitis. The goal of this study was to evaluate the effect of SGB in controlling pain after tonsillectomy. Methods : Forty five patients, evaluated to ASA class 1 and 2, scheduled for tonsillectomy under general anesthesia were randomly assigned to 1 of 3 groups (group I: control; group II: SGB with 1% lidocaine 5 ml; group III: SGB with 2% lidocaine 2.5 ml plus 0.5% bupivacaine 2.5 ml), SGB was performed at the end of surgery. Postoperative pain was assessed with Numeric Rating Scale(NRS) NRS assessment was made 30, 60, 90 min, 2 h, 4 h, 24 h, 48 h after tonsillectomy. Results : Pain scores, after 30 min in group II, III and 60, 90 min in group III were significantly lower than group I(p<0.05). Conclusions : We found SGB was effective in controlling pain after tonsillectomy but further studies are required needs to prolong duration of relief..

• Journal of Yeungnam Medical Science
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• v.35 no.1
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• pp.104-108
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• 2018

Syncope is defined as a transient loss of consciousness and postural tone, characterized by rapid onset, short duration, and spontaneous recovery. Stellate ganglion block (SGB) is a nerve block method that is used for treatment of neuropathic pain in the head, neck and upper extremities, especially trigeminal neuralgia, postherpetic neuralgia and complex regional pain syndrome. SGB can modulate and stabilize the sympathetic nervous system, which prevents it from overexcitation and improves symptoms of syncope. The authors report a patient who was treated for pain and edema of both upper extremities with SGB, then showed improvement in recurrent syncope followed by chest pain and overall quality of life.

• The Korean Journal of Pain
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• v.14 no.2
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• pp.239-244
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• 2001

Stellate ganglion block (SGB) is a frequently used sympathetic block utilized to diagnose or treat various painful conditions of the cervical regions and the upper extremities. Additionally, RadioFrequency (RF) lesions of the stellate ganglion can be useful in managing sympathetically-maintained pain. Two patients were suffering from pain in the face, neck and the upper extremities were treated with stellate ganglion block. In spite of repeated blocks, the degree and duration of pain did not decrease. However, after performing radiofrequency thermocoagulation of the stellate ganglion under fluroscopy, followed by thermography on the process of treatment with RF stellate ganglion neurolysis, the patients' pain levels were alleviated after the RF lesions of stellate ganglion and the procedure also increased the temperature at the upper extremity on thermogarphy. Additionally, the patients did not complain of any remarkable complications following this procedure.