Real-time ultrasound-guided stellate ganglion block for migraine: an observational study

Abstract

Objective To observe whether ultrasound-guided stellate ganglion block (SGB) can effectively relieve migraine pain and improve the quality of migraine patients’ life. Methods 81 patients with migraines were enrolled in this study. The patients received SGB with 6 ml of 0.15% ropivacaine once every week for four times. Migraine was assessed with the Migraine Disability Assessment Scale (MIDAS) at baseline and three-months follow-up (Tm). The numerical rating scale (NRS) score at baseline, one day after treatment (Td) and Tm, the frequency of analgesic use in 3 months and the side effects were also recorded at the same time. Results The NRS score of migraine subjects decreased significantly from 7.0 (2.0) to 3.0 (1.0) at Td and 2.0 (2.0) at Tm (vs baseline, P < 0.01). The MIDAS total scores were 14.0 (10.5) at baseline and 7.0 (4.5) at Tm (P < 0.001). During the three months, the frequency of analgesic consumption was decreased from 6.2 ± 2.8 to 1.9 ± 1.8. There were no serious side effects. Conclusions This study confirmed that ultrasound-guided SGB is an effective method to treat migraines. This technique can reduce pain and disability and then improve the quality of life of patients with migraines.

Ultrasound‐guided stellate ganglion block for the treatment of migraine in elderly patients: A retrospective and observational study

“…The authors found that PNBs might be a safe and effective alternative headache management strategy for elderly patients with migraine, with an effectiveness rate of 81% for chronic migraine and 75% for episodic migraine, and no AEs associated with PNBs were reported 7 . A few studies have confirmed that SGB is effective in the treatment of migraine in young adults 13,14 . In the present study, we found that SGB treatment resulted in significant reduction in pain intensity in elderly patients with migraine.…”

“…Moon et al 13 reported a 63% and a 57% reduction in pain intensity in two young adults with bilateral migraine after 4 months of SGB procedures. Hou et al 14 also found that patients aged 8–62 years with unilateral migraine achieved up to a 71% reduction in pain intensity after 3 months of SGB treatment, from a mean (SD) NRS score of 7.0 (2.0) at baseline to 2.0 (2.0). The degree of reduction in pain intensity obtained with SGB treatment in our study was comparable to that achieved with SGB in younger patients with bilateral migraine and slightly less than that in younger patients with unilateral migraine.…”

“…Moon et al 13 first reported that two patients with refractory migraine (bilateral headache) had a significant reduction in headache intensity and improvement in headache‐related disability after receiving multiple bilateral SGBs. An observational study also confirmed that ultrasound‐guided SGBs are effective in reducing the intensity and frequency of migraine 14 ; however, the treatment effects of SGB in elderly patients aged ≥65 years with migraine have not been investigated. With the introduction of ultrasound real‐time guidance technology, ultrasound‐guided SGB helps minimize the risk of serious complications and is safer 15 .…”

“…Stellate ganglion block (SGB), a well‐established anesthesia technique, is performed for the treatment of head, face, neck, and upper limb pain 10–12 . Recent findings showed that SGB is beneficial for migraine 13,14 . Moon et al 13 first reported that two patients with refractory migraine (bilateral headache) had a significant reduction in headache intensity and improvement in headache‐related disability after receiving multiple bilateral SGBs.…”

Treatment of stellate ganglion block in diseases: Its role and application prospect

“…Although the mechanism of pain remains unclear, the application of SGB in the treatment of various types of pain remains feasible. Studies have revealed that the application of SGB to alleviate most of the symptoms of migraine in the treatment of migraine[ 11 , 12 ] and cluster headache[ 13 ] may be attributed to the inhibition of sympathetic overactivity or weakening of vascular inflammatory response. Furthermore, a previous study reported that ultrasound-guided SGB can effectively relieve cervical headache[ 14 ].…”