Stellate ganglion block successfully relieved medically unexplained chronic pain: a case report

Abstract

Medically unexplained symptoms refers to a clinical syndrome characterized by somatic symptoms that cannot be reasonably explained by any organic disease. Chronic pain can be a type of medically unexplained symptom. The current treatment modalities for chronic pain mainly include drugs and psychotherapy. The use of stellate ganglion block for treatment of chronic pain has rarely been reported. Herein, we report a patient whose chronic pain was completely relieved after receiving a stellate ganglion block.

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

“…The exact mechanism of action of SGB on migraine remains unclear. We speculate that good therapeutic effects of SGB for migraine in elderly patients may be related to mechanisms such as restoration of sympathovagal balance, reduction of blood concentration of norepinephrine, inhibition of production of inflammatory mediators, and acceleration of metabolism of nocicogenic substances such as serotonin 21–23 ; therefore, repeated SGB treatments may be effective in the restoration of normal melatonin rhythm and reduction of hyperalgesia 24,25 …”

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

“…Medically unexplained symptoms (MUS) are defined as somatic symptoms that cannot be reasonably explained by any organic disease. A patient with MUS would have a good therapeutic effect after SGB[ 45 ], suggesting that repeated SGB may be effective for modulating nerves and reducing sympathetic activity. When Xu and Zhang[ 46 ] performed SGB on a patient who suffered from hypothyroidism, Hashimoto’s encephalopathy, cerebral infarction, and frequent premature ventricular beats, the patient presented with significantly improved sleep quality and a restored sinus rhythm after treatment.…”