Stellate Ganglion Block: SGB

A stellate ganglion block (SGB) is an injection of a local anesthetic to block the sympathetic nerves located on either side of the voice box in the neck. An injection at these nerves may reduce symptoms such as pain, swelling, color, sweating changes in the upper extremity, and may also improve mobility. 

This injection is typically for pain located in the head, neck, chest, or arm caused by sympathetically maintained pain (reflex sympathetic dystrophy), causalgia (nerve injury), herpes zoster (shingles), or intractable angina (pain related to decreased blood flow to the heart). 

Stellate ganglion blocks are also used to see if blood flow can be improved in those patients with circulation problems related to vascular disease.

Ultrasonography is a very useful tool since vascular structures (carotid, vertebral artery) and visceral structures (esophagus) can be seen in real-time and thus avoid puncturing them.

Which Ultrasound Scanner is suitable for Stellate Ganglion Block?

Using a high-frequency Linear Ultrasound Scanner of 10 to 14 MHz, a high-resolution image, and a needle guide is vital during the SGB procedure. For this reason, the Mini Linear Handheld Wi-Fi Ultrasound Scanner MLCD is always recommended.

Ultrasound-guided SGB using the lateral in-plane approach at the C7 level is safe, effective for the management of chronic pain of the upper extremity, head, and neck.

 It provides real-time needle advancement to help the clinician to visualize the needle entry into the subfascial plane helping the caudal spread of the drug.

 Ultrasound-guided SGB also allows direct monitoring of the spread of the local anesthetic and hence complications such as recurrent laryngeal nerve palsies, the intrathecal, epidural, or intravascular spread may be minimized, as well.

To sum up, Ultrasonographic guided SGB improves puncture safety and allows the visualization of the local anesthetic depot.

References:  Stellate Ganglion Blocks, ultrasound guided stellate ganglion block

Disclaimer: Although the information we provide is used by different doctors and medical staff to perform their procedures and clinical applications, the information contained in this article is for consideration only. SONOSIF is not responsible neither for the misuse of the device nor for the wrong or random generalizability of the device in all clinical applications or procedures mentioned in our articles. Users must have the proper training and skills to perform the procedure with each ultrasound scanner device.

The products mentioned in this article are only for sale to medical staff (doctors, nurses, certified practitioners, etc.) or to private users assisted by or under the supervision of a medical professional.