• The Korean Journal of Pain
• /
• 제7권1호
• /
• pp.84-87
• /
• 1994

Retrospective analysis, of 1,734 patients treated for nerve block from October 1991 to March 1994. Largest percentage of patients were in the 50 year old range, with a distribution of 44.9% male and 55.1% female. Treatments were for ailments of: Low Back Pain 17.3%, Multiple Contusion 10.5%, and Cancer 10%. Most common nerve block was epidural block 38.6%, followed by stellate ganglion block 38.4%, intercostal block 5.4%, and suprascapular nerve block 5.2%. Nerve block under fluorscopic guide were as follows: facet joint block 34.1%, lumbar sympathetic ganglion block 13.6%, and celiac plexus block 12.9%.

• The Korean Journal of Pain
• /
• 제7권1호
• /
• pp.49-52
• /
• 1994

Measurement of skin temperature is most frequently used to evaluate effect of sympathetic block. Sticker type skin temperature indicator, $ProChecker^{(R)}$, uses metamocolor, which changes the darkness of the color by giving and taking of electrons in response to temperature. We examined the accuracy of this skin temperature indicator in pain clinic patients who were treated with stellate ganglion block. Ten minutes before, and 10~20 minutes after stellate ganglion block, skin temperature on both dorsum of hand were measured using both $ProChecker^{(R)}$ and thermography concurrently. The results showed that skin temperature measured by $ProChecker^{(R)}$ was feasible, in correlation to thermography. Sticker type temperature indicator ($ProChecker^{(R)}$) is concluded as a useful monitor of skin temperature during nerve block in outpatient clinics.

• The Korean Journal of Pain
• /
• 제8권1호
• /
• pp.55-59
• /
• 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
• /
• 제9권1호
• /
• pp.226-228
• /
• 1996

Rectal tenesmus is a persistent, painful and ineffectual sensation of straining at stool or opening of the bowels. The pain is usually spasmodic in nature and most commonly encountered in patients with carcinoma of the rectum or other pelvic organs. In 1988, Bristowand Foster reported that patients with severe spasmodic painful tenesmus were relieved with chemical sympathectomy. In 1990, Plancarte introduced block of Ganglion impar. This technique is proposed as an alternative means of managing localized perineal pain of sympathetic origin. Ganglion impar block was performed on a 54-year-old female patient when analgesic or psychotropic drugs failed to control the symptoms of post-traumatic severe spasmodic painful tenesmus. Postoperatively, patient was free of tenesmoid pain for only 7 days. We then performed neurotomy by RF lesion generator which provided complete pain relief.

• The Korean Journal of Pain
• /
• 제30권1호
• /
• pp.66-70
• /
• 2017

The lumbar sympathetic ganglion block (LSGB) is widely used for diagnosing and treating sympathetically maintained pain disorders. The LSGB has been conventionally carried out under fluoroscopy or computed tomography guidance. However, as ultrasound technology improved, ultrasound-guided interventions have been expanding their territory to deeper structures. Ultrasound guidance provides many benefits including protecting vascular injection, shortening procedure time in some cases, and reducing the emission of radiation. In this report, we describe a successful case of a US-guided LSGB without major complications. We expect that US-guided LSGBs can be implemented and furnished in the daily outpatient clinical setting by highly trained pain physicians.

• Journal of Dental Anesthesia and Pain Medicine
• /
• 제18권2호
• /
• pp.105-110
• /
• 2018

Background: A stellate ganglion block (SGB) causes increased blood flow in the maxillofacial region, exhibiting the potential for regenerative effects in damaged tissue. The focus of this study was to understand the efficacy of SGB for regenerative effects against nerve damage. A rat model of the superior cervical ganglion block (SCGB) was created instead of SGB, and facial blood flow, as well as sympathetic nervous system function, were measured. Methods: A vertical incision was made on the left side of the neck of a Wistar rat, and a 5-mm resection of the superior cervical ganglion was performed at the back of the bifurcation of the internal and external branches of the left common carotid artery. Blood flow in the skin at the mandibular angle and mean facial temperature were measured using a laser-Doppler blood flow meter and a thermographic camera, respectively, over a 5-week period after the block. In addition, the degree of ptosis and miosis were assessed over a period of 6 months. Results: The SCGB rat showed significantly higher blood flow at the mandibular angle on the block side (P < 0.05) for 3 weeks, and significantly higher skin temperature (P < 0.05) for 1 week after the block. In the SCGB rat, ptosis and miosis occurred immediately after the block, and persisted even 6 months later. Conclusions: SCGB in rats can cause an increase in the blood flow that persists over 3 weeks.

• The Korean Journal of Pain
• /
• 제10권1호
• /
• pp.54-57
• /
• 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..

• The Korean Journal of Pain
• /
• 제14권2호
• /
• pp.231-233
• /
• 2001

Atrophic rhinitis is characterized by mucosal atrophy, bony absorption, persistent fetid odor and resistance to medical and surgical treatment. Stellate ganglion block (SGB) can be used as a therapeutic modality by improving the regional blood flow through sympathetic blockade. We present a case of a 57 year-old male patient who had been treated unsuccessully for atrophic rhinitis for several years by surgical and conservative measures. The patient presented at our pain clinic with shoulder pain and received stellate ganglion block once or twice a week. He received more than 75 SGBs in addition to the routine conservative treatment for atrophic rhinitis. As the number of blocks performed increased, the patient demonstrated subjective symptom relief. We measured regional mucosal blood flow using a laser doppler flowmeter after the 28th, 63rd and 75th blocks. Nasal mucosal blood flow was improved by 4.9%, 28.8% and 36.3% respectively. We also were able to observe the recovery of mucosal atrophy to an almost normal level by nasal endoscopy. The patient is currently free of symptoms and is being followed up on an outpatient bases.

• The Korean Journal of Pain
• /
• 제23권1호
• /
• pp.65-69
• /
• 2010

Chronic perineal pain is an often encountered problem, which produces a great degree of functional impairment and frustration to the patient and a challenge to the treating physician. The reason for this problem is that the region contains diverse anatomic structures with mixed somatic, visceral and autonomic innervations affecting bladder and bowel control and sexual function. A blockade of nociceptive and sympathetic supply to the perineal region, supplied through the ganglion impar has been shown to benefit patients with chronic perineal pain. Several options to this block have been described that chemical neurolysis, radiofrequency ablation etc. Although the analgesic effect of Botulinum toxin type A (BoNT-A) has long been considered secondary to its action for muscle relaxation, BoNT-A also affects the release of the neurotransmitters that are involved in pain perception. We describe a patient who was successfully given ganglion impar block with BoNT-A.

• The Korean Journal of Pain
• /
• 제9권2호
• /
• pp.340-343
• /
• 1996

Background: In our hospital, stellate ganglion block(SGB) has been performed for the prevention and treatment of vasospasm after microscopic reimplantation of finger(s). If brachial plexus block(BPB) has the same effect of sympathetic block on the upper extremity as SGB, it may be preferable to the SGB because it povides postoperative analgesia and is administered continuously. So we measured and compared the change of skin temperature on the forearm as the parameter of sympathetic blockade after SGB and BPB. Methods: The forty-two patients, belonged to ASA class 1~2, were received BPB for hand surgery. The skin temperature was measured before and after BPB on the forearm with patient monitor(LN 6199, YSI 400 Series Temperature Probe, Hellige, Germany). After 24 hours, ipsilateral SGB was performed and skin temperature was recorded before and after SGB. Results: The increase of skin temperature after procedures was $1.1{\pm}0.5^{\circ}C$(from $34.5{\pm}0.7^{\circ}C$ to $35.6{\pm}0.5^{\circ}C$) in BPB and $0.6{\pm}0.3^{\circ}C$(from $34.9{\pm}0.5^{\circ}C$ to $35.5{\pm}0.5^{\circ}C$) in SGB. The changes of skin temperature in both blocks were statistically significant(p<0.01), and the skin temperatures after each procedure were revealed no significant difference(p$\simeq$0.62). Conclusion: We thought that BPB produced sympathetic blockade on the upper extremity as much as SGB. Moreover, it provides postoperative pain relief and may be employed as continuous BPB could be used for hand surgery with many advantages.