What is a Sphenopalatine Ganglion Block?
Sphenopalatine ganglion block is a short, minimally invasive procedure that is effective for treating some acute and chronic facial and head pain. A sphenopalatine block involves either the insertion of cotton buds soaked in a local anaesthetic and other medication into the nose or an injection of local anaesthetic medication through the cheek into the area of the sphenopalatine ganglion. The block is usually temporary, but the benefit can usually be prolonged by a radiofrequency treatment.
What is the purpose of a Sphenopalatine Ganglion Block?
Sphenopalatine ganglion blocks are indicated for difficult to treat pain arising the face and head secondary to cluster headache, trigeminal neuralgia, temporomandibular joints, post herpetic neuralgia, paroxysmal hemicranias, atypical facial pain, head and neck cancer. The block can be diagnostic by confirming the origin of the pain and radiofrequency treatment may be therapeutic in some patients by providing sustained pain relief and functional improvement.
Before your procedure
You should avoid undergoing any other medical procedures, such as for example dental treatment or a colonoscopy, within 48 hours (before or after) of the procedure.
Do not eat or drink anything in the 6 hours immediately before the procedure (although any medication can continue to be taken with small sips of water). Medication for diabetes should not be taken until after the procedure.
You should also not drive yourself to or from the appointment, and you should have a responsible adult who will be able to look after you.
The procedure is done in one of two ways
The procedure is performed as a day-case in hospital. You will be asked to lie in a comfortable position on your back with a small support under your shoulders and a small needle may be inserted into the back of your hand.
- The doctor will introduce a cotton bud soaked with local anaesthetic medicine into your nose and advance it until it reaches the back of your throat. Once in the correct position it will be left in place for 20-30 minutes.
- After your skin is washed with antiseptic and ‘numbed’, the doctor injects local anaesthetic under x-ray and nerve stimulation guidance through your cheek into the sphenopalatine ganglion. Tingling should be felt around the nose, if you feel tingling in your teeth or palate the needle will be repositioned. You may feel some temporary procedural discomfort.
Following your procedure
After the procedure you are able to return home. There is no restriction on day-to-day activities, although, as advised above, due to the sedation you should not drive a vehicle for at least 24 hours after the procedure (so it is a good idea to have someone drive you to and from the appointment).
In some cases, there may be some pain or discomfort and/or bruising to the skin at the injection site, which may last for about a week.
Complications and Side Effects
Pulsed radiofrequency treatment is a very low risk procedure – however all medical treatment comes with some level of risk. Possible complications may include:
- Bleeding.
- Infection.
- Pain at injection site.
- Allergic reaction to anaesthetic and / or contrast dye.
- Hypotension.
If you experience severe pain or weakness, or your temperature is over 38C, you should let us know urgently or visit the nearest emergency department.
