1
|
Zhai X, Wu W, Zeng S, Miao Y. Advance in the mechanism and clinical research of myalgia in long COVID. AMERICAN JOURNAL OF CLINICAL AND EXPERIMENTAL IMMUNOLOGY 2024; 13:142-164. [PMID: 39310121 PMCID: PMC11411160 DOI: 10.62347/txvo6284] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/26/2023] [Accepted: 07/18/2024] [Indexed: 09/25/2024]
Abstract
As severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) continues to evolve, mortality rates of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) have significantly decreased. However, a variable proportion of patients exhibit persistent prolonged symptoms of COVID-19 infection (long COVID). This virus primarily attacks respiratory system, but numerous individuals complain persistent skeletal muscle pain or worsening pre-existing muscle pain post COVID-19, which severely affects the quality of life and recovery. Currently, there is limited research on the skeletal muscle pain in long COVID. In this brief review, we review potential pathological mechanisms of skeletal muscle pain in long COVID, and summarize the various auxiliary examinations and treatments for skeletal muscle pain in long COVID. We consider abnormal activation of inflammatory response, myopathy, and neurological damages as pivotal pathological mechanisms of skeletal muscle pain in long COVID. A comprehensive examination is significantly important in order to work out effective treatment plans and relieve skeletal muscle pain. So far, rehabilitation interventions for myalgia in long COVID contain but are not limited to drug, nutraceutical therapy, gut microbiome-targeted therapy, interventional therapy and strength training. Our study provides a potential mechanism reference for clinical researches, highlighting the importance of comprehensive approach and management of skeletal muscle pain in long COVID. The relief of skeletal muscle pain will accelerate rehabilitation process, improve activities of daily living and enhance the quality of life, promoting individuals return to society with profound significance.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Xiuyun Zhai
- Department of Rehabilitation, Shanghai General Hospital, Shanghai Jiaotong UniversityNo. 100, Haining Road, Shanghai 200080, China
| | - Weijun Wu
- Department of Rehabilitation, Shanghai General Hospital, Shanghai Jiaotong UniversityNo. 100, Haining Road, Shanghai 200080, China
| | - Siliang Zeng
- Department of Rehabilitation Therapy, School of Health, Shanghai Normal University Tianhua CollegeNo. 1661, North Shengxin Road, Shanghai 201815, China
| | - Yun Miao
- Department of Rehabilitation, Shanghai General Hospital, Shanghai Jiaotong UniversityNo. 100, Haining Road, Shanghai 200080, China
- Department of Rehabilitation, School of International Medical Technology, Shanghai Sanda UniversityNo. 2727, Jinhai Road, Shanghai 201209, China
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Bustamante C, Pinilla Bonilla LB, Restrepo JC. Neurological symphony: post-acute COVID-19 syndrome, an innovative pathophysiological exploration from neuraltherapeutic medicine. Front Integr Neurosci 2024; 18:1417856. [PMID: 39070159 PMCID: PMC11275269 DOI: 10.3389/fnint.2024.1417856] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/15/2024] [Accepted: 06/20/2024] [Indexed: 07/30/2024] Open
Abstract
The SARS-CoV-2 pandemic has affected 771 million people and caused 6.9 million confirmed deaths as of November 2023. Beyond the adversity, a crucial and less-explored chapter unfolds: adaptive sequelae. These have altered social, mental, and emotional conditions, leaving an imprint on biological systems. While some cases fully resolve the pathological process post-acute infection, others persist with symptoms, posing a challenge that underscores the need to comprehend pathophysiology from innovative perspectives. The article delves into “Long COVID” or Post-Acute COVID-19 Syndrome (PACS), where symptoms persist for ≥4 weeks irrespective of initial severity. Risk factors include a history of severe illness, in-hospital management, and intensive care. This article also explores theories, derived from various experimental models, that have demonstrated the involvement of the nervous system in coordination with the psychoneuroimmunoendocrine axes in the expression of inflammation. It is posited that PACS involves processes of peripheral and central sensitization (corticalization), facilitating dishomeostasis and the chronicity of the inflammatory process. In this context, various therapeutic strategies grounded in modulating the inflammatory reflex are reviewed, primarily through the infiltration of local anesthetics via linear and non-linear approaches. Neural therapeutic use is considered to stimulate the regulatory inflammatory circuits coordinated by the neuroimmune-endocrine system.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Carlos Bustamante
- Institute for Advanced Integrative Medicine, Medellin, Colombia
- Faculty of Medicine, National University of Colombia, Bogotá, Colombia
| | - Laura Bibiana Pinilla Bonilla
- Institute for Advanced Integrative Medicine, Medellin, Colombia
- Research and Innovation Center, Integrated Subnetwork of Health Services of South, Bogotá, Colombia
| | | |
Collapse
|
3
|
Fajardo Pérez M, Yamak-Altinpulluk E, Díez Tafur R, Salazar-Zamorano CH, Espinosa Morales K, Oliver-Fornies P, Rocha-Romero A, Aguilar Ureña R, Juarez-Lemus A, Galluccio F, Abd-Elsayed A. Novel ultrasound-guided supraclavicular stellate ganglion block. Pain Pract 2024; 24:808-814. [PMID: 38251786 DOI: 10.1111/papr.13350] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/23/2024]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Stellate ganglion block (SGB) provides diagnostic and therapeutic benefits in pain syndromes in the head, neck, and upper extremity, including complex regional pain syndrome Types I and II, Raynaud's disease, hyperhidrosis, arterial embolism in the region of the arm. METHODS We present a novel ultrasound-guided supraclavicular stellate ganglion block. Considering the existing anatomical structures of the targeted area. RESULTS AND CONCLUSIONS We hope that we can provide fewer complications and additional benefits with this new approach.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Mario Fajardo Pérez
- Morphological Madrid Research Center (MoMaRC), Ultradissection Spain EchoTraining School, Madrid, Spain
| | - Ece Yamak-Altinpulluk
- Morphological Madrid Research Center (MoMaRC), Ultradissection Spain EchoTraining School, Madrid, Spain
- Anesthesiology Clinical Research Office, Ataturk University, Erzurum, Turkey
- Outcomes Research Consortium, Cleveland, Ohio, USA
| | - Rodrigo Díez Tafur
- Morphological Madrid Research Center (MoMaRC), Ultradissection Spain EchoTraining School, Madrid, Spain
- Centro MDRS - Sports, Spine & Pain Center: Lima Pain Institute, Lima, Peru
- Clínica Angloamericana British American Hospital, Lima, Peru
- Latin American Pain Society (LAPS), New York, New York, USA
| | - Carlos H Salazar-Zamorano
- Morphological Madrid Research Center (MoMaRC), Ultradissection Spain EchoTraining School, Madrid, Spain
- Department of Anesthesia, Hospital Universitario 12 de Octubre, Madrid, Spain
| | - Karla Espinosa Morales
- Morphological Madrid Research Center (MoMaRC), Ultradissection Spain EchoTraining School, Madrid, Spain
- Department of Anesthesia and Pain Medicine, Hospital de Trauma, Centro Integral de Salud de Puriscal, San José, Costa Rica
| | - Pablo Oliver-Fornies
- Morphological Madrid Research Center (MoMaRC), Ultradissection Spain EchoTraining School, Madrid, Spain
- Department of Anesthesiology, Critical Care and Pain Medicine, Móstoles University Hospital, Móstoles, Spain
- Aragon Institute for Health Research, Zaragoza, Spain
| | - Andrés Rocha-Romero
- Morphological Madrid Research Center (MoMaRC), Ultradissection Spain EchoTraining School, Madrid, Spain
- Department of Anesthesia and Pain Medicine, Hospital de Trauma, Centro Integral de Salud de Puriscal, San José, Costa Rica
- Department of Anesthesia and Pain Management, Centro Nacional de Rehabilitacion, Hospital de Trauma, San José, Costa Rica
| | - Ricardo Aguilar Ureña
- Morphological Madrid Research Center (MoMaRC), Ultradissection Spain EchoTraining School, Madrid, Spain
- Department of Anesthesiology, Critical Care and Pain Medicine, Centro Nacional de Rehabilitacion, San José, Costa Rica
| | - Angel Juarez-Lemus
- Department of Pain Medicine, National Cancer Institute, Mexico City, Mexico
| | - Felice Galluccio
- Morphological Madrid Research Center (MoMaRC), Ultradissection Spain EchoTraining School, Madrid, Spain
- Fisiotech Lab Studio, Rheumatology and Pain Management, Firenze, Italy
- Center for Regional Anesthesia and Pain Medicine (CRAPM), Wan Fang Hospital, Taipei Medical University, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Alaa Abd-Elsayed
- Anesthesiology Department, University of Wisconsin, Madison, Wisconsin, USA
| |
Collapse
|
4
|
Sun L, Wu G, Zhou Y, Deng A, Chen Z. Prospective study on ultrasound-guided stellate ganglion block improves cerebral blood flow in patients with stroke. J Stroke Cerebrovasc Dis 2024; 33:107593. [PMID: 38290686 DOI: 10.1016/j.jstrokecerebrovasdis.2024.107593] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/04/2023] [Revised: 01/16/2024] [Accepted: 01/22/2024] [Indexed: 02/01/2024] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVES The effect of routine internal medicine and stroke rehabilitation treatment was not good. To confirm that ultrasound-guided stellate ganglion block (SGB) can improve cerebral blood flow in patients with stroke, Transcranial Doppler (TCD) and carotid ultrasound were used to monitor the cerebral blood flow parameters of ultrasound-guided SGB in patients with stroke. METHODS A prospective study of 40 patients with stroke from January 2021 to October 2022 randomly divided into two groups (group SGB: undergoing ultrasound-guided SGB and standard medical procedures, control group: undergoing standard medical procedures) with 20 cases in each was conducted in People's Hospital of Chongqing Liang Jiang New Area. TCD and carotid artery ultrasound were monitored before and after treatment. There were no significant differences in general data on age, gender, disease course, and stroke type between two groups (P>0.05). RESULTS After treatment, the bilateral ACA Vm of group SGB was significantly higher, the bilateral internal carotid artery RI and left VA RI were significantly lower than in control group (P<0.05). In group SGB, the Vm of bilateral MCA, bilateral PCA, right ACA, bilateral VA, and BA after treatment were significantly (P<0.05) increased compared to before treatment. PI of bilateral MCA, right ACA, and left VA after treatment were significantly (P<0.05) decreased compared to before treatment. RI of bilateral MCA, bilateral PCA, and bilateral VA after treatment were significantly (P<0.05) decreased compared to before treatment. Right internal carotid artery D after treatment was significantly (P<0.05) higher than before treatment. RI of bilateral internal carotid artery after treatment was significantly (P<0.05) lower than before treatment. CONCLUSIONS Ultrasound-guided stellate ganglion block could improve local cerebral blood flow and vascular compliance in patients with stroke, and reduce vascular resistance.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Lin Sun
- Department of anesthesiology and pain, People's Hospital of Chongqing Liang Jiang New Area; Liangjiang New Area Chongqing 401121, China
| | - Gu Wu
- Department of anesthesiology and pain, People's Hospital of Chongqing Liang Jiang New Area; Liangjiang New Area Chongqing 401121, China
| | - Yuan Zhou
- Department of anesthesiology and pain, People's Hospital of Chongqing Liang Jiang New Area; Liangjiang New Area Chongqing 401121, China
| | - Ansong Deng
- Department of anesthesiology and pain, People's Hospital of Chongqing Liang Jiang New Area; Liangjiang New Area Chongqing 401121, China
| | - Zongjie Chen
- Department of anesthesiology and pain, People's Hospital of Chongqing Liang Jiang New Area; Liangjiang New Area Chongqing 401121, China.
| |
Collapse
|
5
|
Tana C, Raffaelli B, Souza MNP, de la Torre ER, Massi DG, Kisani N, García-Azorín D, Waliszewska-Prosół M. Health equity, care access and quality in headache - part 1. J Headache Pain 2024; 25:12. [PMID: 38281917 PMCID: PMC10823691 DOI: 10.1186/s10194-024-01712-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/01/2023] [Accepted: 01/03/2024] [Indexed: 01/30/2024] Open
Abstract
Current definitions of migraine that are based mainly on clinical characteristics do not account for other patient's features such as those related to an impaired quality of life, due to loss of social life and productivity, and the differences related to the geographical distribution of the disease and cultural misconceptions which tend to underestimate migraine as a psychosocial rather than neurobiological disorder.Global differences definition, care access, and health equity for headache disorders, especially migraine are reported in this paper from a collaborative group of the editorial board members of the Journal of Headache and Pain. Other components that affect patients with migraine, in addition to the impact promoted by the migraine symptoms such as stigma and social determinants, are also reported.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Claudio Tana
- Center of Excellence on Headache and Geriatrics Clinic, SS Annunziata Hospital of Chieti, Chieti, Italy.
| | - Bianca Raffaelli
- Department of Neurology, Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, corporate member of Freie Universität Berlin and Humboldt Universität zu Berlin, Berlin, Germany
- Clinician Scientist Program, Berlin Institute of Health (BIH), Berlin, Germany
| | | | | | - Daniel Gams Massi
- Neurology Unit, Douala General Hospital, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Buea, Buea, Cameroon
| | - Najib Kisani
- Department of Neurology, Mohammed VI University Hospital, Marrakech, Morocco
| | - David García-Azorín
- Headache Unit, Department of Neurology, Hospital Clínico Universitario de Valladolid, 47003, Valladolid, Spain
| | | |
Collapse
|
6
|
Vinyes D, Muñoz-Sellart M, Fischer L. Therapeutic Use of Low-Dose Local Anesthetics in Pain, Inflammation, and Other Clinical Conditions: A Systematic Scoping Review. J Clin Med 2023; 12:7221. [PMID: 38068272 PMCID: PMC10707454 DOI: 10.3390/jcm12237221] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/06/2023] [Revised: 11/15/2023] [Accepted: 11/18/2023] [Indexed: 08/13/2024] Open
Abstract
The use of low-dose local anesthetics (LAs) has significantly transformed patient care by providing rapid and effective relief of pain and other clinical conditions while minimizing recovery time. This study aims to identify and describe the existing scientific evidence on the therapeutic use of low-dose LAs in various conditions and to identify gaps in the current literature in order to prioritize future research. This systematic scoping review adhered to the methodological guidelines outlined in the Arksey and O'Malley framework, which includes five distinct stages. Of the 129 studies included, 37.98% (n = 49) were clinical trials, 55.03% (n = 71) were observational studies, and 6.97% (n = 9) were systematic reviews. The most commonly reported indication for the use of low-dose LAs was chronic pain management (72.86%), followed by acute pain management (13.17%). Additionally, non-pain-related indications were also identified (13.95%). Overall, the administration of low-dose, short-acting LAs demonstrated favorable outcomes in terms of pain management and reduction in anxiety and depression scales, thereby having a positive impact on the patients' quality of life. This review represents the first systematic scoping review regarding the therapeutic role of LAs. To substantiate the reported positive effects on efficacy and safety, further rigorous research comprising larger, well-designed randomized controlled trials (RCTs) and long-term outcome monitoring is imperative.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- David Vinyes
- Institute of Neural Therapy and Regulatory Medicine, 08202 Sabadell, Spain;
- Master of Permanent Training in Medical and Dental Neural Therapy, University of Barcelona—IL3, 08018 Barcelona, Spain
- Neural Therapy Research Foundation, 08202 Sabadell, Spain
| | - Montserrat Muñoz-Sellart
- Institute of Neural Therapy and Regulatory Medicine, 08202 Sabadell, Spain;
- Master of Permanent Training in Medical and Dental Neural Therapy, University of Barcelona—IL3, 08018 Barcelona, Spain
- Neural Therapy Research Foundation, 08202 Sabadell, Spain
| | - Lorenz Fischer
- Formerly Neural Therapy, Institute of Complementary and Integrative Medicine (IKIM), University of Bern, 3012 Bern, Switzerland;
| |
Collapse
|
7
|
Vinyes D, Traverso PH, Murillo JH, Sánchez-Padilla M, Muñoz-Sellart M. Improvement in post-orthodontic chronic musculoskeletal pain after local anesthetic injections in the trigeminal area: a case series. J Int Med Res 2023; 51:3000605231214064. [PMID: 38017361 PMCID: PMC10686034 DOI: 10.1177/03000605231214064] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/26/2023] [Accepted: 10/23/2023] [Indexed: 11/30/2023] Open
Abstract
Orthodontic treatment has been associated with chronic extraoral pain that is often resistant to common treatments such as drugs or physiotherapy, adversely affecting patients' quality of life. In this case series, we discuss the potential impact of orthodontics on chronic cervical spine pain or gonalgia and explore the long-term effect of local anesthetic injections as a possible therapeutic intervention. Six orthodontic patients with chronic cervical spine pain or gonalgia that substantially affected their quality of life were treated with injections of 0.5% procaine into individual lesions and at palpable points of tissue tension in the oral mucosa and extraoral myofascial areas. All patients in this case series reported significant improvement in their chronic pain, with no residual pain recorded at the 6-month follow-up. Injecting local anesthetic at stress points in the oral mucosal and extraoral myofascial regions may be an effective treatment for post-orthodontic neck and knee pain. Further research is required to better understand the potential benefits of this intervention for patients experiencing orthodontic-related musculoskeletal pain.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- David Vinyes
- Institute of Neural Therapy and Regulatory Medicine, Sabadell, Barcelona, Spain
- Master’s Degree in Continuing Education in Medical and Dental Neural Therapy, University of Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
- Neural Therapy Research Foundation, Sabadell, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Paula Hermosilla Traverso
- Master’s Degree in Continuing Education in Medical and Dental Neural Therapy, University of Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
- La Granja Family Health Center (CESFAM), La Granja Municipality, Santiago, Chile
| | - Julia Hartley Murillo
- Master’s Degree in Continuing Education in Medical and Dental Neural Therapy, University of Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Maider Sánchez-Padilla
- Gimbernat University School, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Sant Cugat del Vallès, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Montserrat Muñoz-Sellart
- Institute of Neural Therapy and Regulatory Medicine, Sabadell, Barcelona, Spain
- Master’s Degree in Continuing Education in Medical and Dental Neural Therapy, University of Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
- Neural Therapy Research Foundation, Sabadell, Barcelona, Spain
| |
Collapse
|
8
|
Abstract
PURPOSE OF REVIEW This is an expert overview on recent literature about the complex relationship between coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) and headache. RECENT FINDINGS Long COVID is a clinical syndrome characterized by the presence of persistent symptoms following the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection. Headache is one of the most common symptoms and is described most often as throbbing pain, associated with photo and phonofobia and worsening with physical exercise. In acute COVID-19, headache is usually described as moderate or severe, diffuse and oppressive although sometimes it has been described with a migraine-like phenotype, especially in patients with a previous history of migraine. Headache intensity during acute phase seems to be the most important predictor of duration of headache over time. Some COVID-19 cases can be associated with cerebrovascular complications, and red flags of secondary headaches (e.g. new worsening or unresponsive headache, or new onset of neurological focal signs) should be urgently investigated with imaging. Treatment goals are the reduction of number and intensity of headache crises, and the prevention of chronic forms. SUMMARY This review can help clinicians to approach patients with headache and infection from SARS-CoV-2, with particular attention to persistent headache in long COVID.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Claudio Tana
- Center of Excellence on Headache, Geriatrics and COVID-19 Clinic, SS Annunziata Hospital of Chieti, Chieti
| | - Maria Adele Giamberardino
- Center of Excellence on Headache, Geriatrics and COVID-19 Clinic, SS Annunziata Hospital of Chieti, Chieti
- Department of Medicine and Science of Aging and CAST, G. D'Annunzio University of Chieti
| | - Paolo Martelletti
- Internal Medicine and Emergency Medicine, Sant' Andrea Hospital, Sapienza University, Rome, Italy
| |
Collapse
|
9
|
Bustamante C, Pinilla L, Amaris O. An Approach to Acute SARS-CoV-2 Management with Complementary
Neuraltherapeutic Medicine: A Case Report. CLINICAL MEDICINE INSIGHTS-CASE REPORTS 2023; 16:11795476231159584. [PMID: 37033677 PMCID: PMC10076607 DOI: 10.1177/11795476231159584] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/23/2022] [Accepted: 02/07/2023] [Indexed: 04/09/2023]
Abstract
Background: It has been proposed that the immunomodulatory capacity of neuraltherapeutic
medicine (NTM) functions by means of stimuli to the nervous system, which
influences the self-regulatory and plastic capacity of the nervous system,
especially through the autonomic balance between the sympathetic and
parasympathetic nervous systems. Several studies report the usefulness of
NTM in inflammatory pathologies. Case presentation: A case report through a retrospective review of the medical history of an
82-year-old male patient with a diagnosis of acute SARS-CoV-2 who received a
therapeutic intervention of NTM at the beginning of his hospitalization and
presented satisfactory clinical evolution, with a follow-up for 18 months
without post-COVID sequelae. A patient diagnosed with acute pneumonia for
SARS-CoV-2, and mild ARDS, with markers of severity given by the history of
COPD, advanced age, and elevation of LDH, ferritin, and CRP. On the third
day of hospitalization, he presented an episode of pulmonary
thromboembolism. He presented significant clinical improvement with
in-hospital management for 9 days and underwent out-patient control with no
post-COVID sequelae. Conclusions: NTM could be useful for the management of acute inflammatory diseases,
including viral diseases such as SARS-CoV-2, in a mild or severe state of
inflammation, when added to allopathic medicine, and it can improve clinical
evolution and long-term sequelae. More studies are needed to validate this
information.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Carlos Bustamante
- Carlos Bustamante, Universidad Nacional de
Colombia, Carrera 71 # 64d 68, Bogota, 111011, Colombia.
| | | | | |
Collapse
|
10
|
Kirkpatrick K, Khan MH, Deng Y, Shah KB. A Review of Stellate Ganglion Block as an Adjunctive Treatment Modality. Cureus 2023; 15:e35174. [PMID: 36949968 PMCID: PMC10029323 DOI: 10.7759/cureus.35174] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 02/19/2023] [Indexed: 02/21/2023] Open
Abstract
Peripheral nerve blocks are becoming increasingly used as adjunctive treatment modalities for a variety of conditions refractory to medical management. Right or left stellate ganglion blocks (SGB) are a specific type of peripheral nerve block that target the sympathetic blockade of neuronal impulses using the injection of local anesthetic and steroids into nerve bundles in the cervical area. This review article is intended to summarize the common uses of stellate ganglion blocks and explain the procedural technique, which has evolved with technological advances in ultrasonography. The similarities between these disease processes are centered around sympathetic hyperactivity. This sympathetic overdrive state is created by increased levels of nerve growth factor (NGF), which causes a cascade of sympathetic sprouting resulting in increased norepinephrine (NE) systemically. Reversal of this cascade by local anesthetic injection into the stellate ganglion thereby reduces NGF and sympathetic sprouting subsequently lowering overall norepinephrine levels. This is the unifying theory by which SGB is able to provide resolution for the varied clinical conditions described in this article. This review article discusses the physiology of several conditions where stellate ganglion blocks are being investigated as an adjunct treatment modality, including anosmia, PTSD, long-COVID, chronic fatigue syndrome, menopausal hot flashes, and ventricular tachyarrhythmias. Overall, the current literature supporting the use of stellate ganglion blocks for several esoteric conditions is limited; however, case reports to date have shown promising evidence-based results supporting their use as an adjunctive treatment among patients with refractory symptoms to existing treatment algorithms. In conclusion, SGB should be considered among patients with refractory symptoms for medical management in the conditions discussed in this article. Further research is needed to delineate which patients will benefit from the use of SGB, the use of subsequent blocks and timelines in between injections, and unilateral versus bilateral blockade.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
| | - Mashfee H Khan
- Anesthesiology, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, USA
| | - Yi Deng
- Anesthesiology, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, USA
| | - Krishna B Shah
- Anesthesiology and Interventional Pain, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, USA
| |
Collapse
|