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VOLUME 5 , ISSUE 1 ( January-April, 2019 ) > List of Articles

EDITORIAL

Sphenopalatine Ganglion Block: A New Therapeutic Approach for Postdural Puncture Headache

Dipasri Bhattacharya, Subhra D Mistry

Keywords : Postdural puncture headache, Sphenopalatine ganglion block, Spinal anesthesia

Citation Information : Bhattacharya D, Mistry SD. Sphenopalatine Ganglion Block: A New Therapeutic Approach for Postdural Puncture Headache. J Recent Adv Pain 2019; 5 (1):1-2.

DOI: 10.5005/jp-journals-10046-0123

License: CC BY-NC 4.0

Published Online: 01-08-2019

Copyright Statement:  Copyright © 2019; The Author(s).


Abstract

Introduction: Postdural puncture headache1 (PDPH) is an occipitofrontal type of headache, a known complication of subarachnoid block or spinal anesthesia. There are several forms of treatments available for PDPH that includes conservative treatments such as bed rest with 15 degree head down, abdominal binders, pharmacological therapy with caffeine, paracetamol, sumatriptan, pregabalin, or nonsteroidal antiinflammatory drugs. Epidural blood patch is the gold standard when supportive treatment fails. Still PDPH remains a difficult situation for clinicians. Materials and methods: Sphenopalatine ganglion is a parasympathetic ganglion through which sympathetic nerves passes. Sphenopalatine ganglion block has been used for treatment of different types of headache including cluster headache, migraine and atypical facial pain. Transnasal sphenopalatine ganglion block (SPGB) is being used recently for the management of PDPH also. Transnasal Sphenopalatine ganglion block is a noninvasive procedure in which local anesthetic is applied locally to the mucosal surface on the posterior pharyngeal wall superior to middle turbinate under which lies the sphenopalatine ganglion. Discussion: Review of literature supports the use of SPGB in PDPH. It is becoming popular for its simplicity in use and high success rate compared to epidural blood patch.


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