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The spread of solutions during stellate ganglion block. Reg Anesth 1992;17(2):78-83

Date

03/01/1992

Pubmed ID

1581263

Scopus ID

2-s2.0-0026603939 (requires institutional sign-in at Scopus site)   87 Citations

Abstract

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: Though cervical paratracheal injections for the purpose of sympathetic block are customarily referred to as stellate ganglion blocks, there is no documentation of the actual site of local anesthetic action. The objective of this study is to test whether solution travels to the stellate ganglion during injections commonly used to anesthetize it.

METHODS: In eight volunteers, magnetic resonance imaging was used to delineate the distribution of 15 ml saline injected by an anterior paratracheal technique at the sixth and seventh cervical vertebral levels.

RESULTS: Injectate was not delivered to the stellate ganglion but rather passed anterior to it.

CONCLUSIONS: The findings suggest that sympathetic neural block during stellate ganglion block may take place at sites other than the stellate ganglion.

Author List

Hogan QH, Erickson SJ, Haddox JD, Abram SE

Authors

Scott J. Erickson MD Professor in the Radiology department at Medical College of Wisconsin
Quinn H. Hogan MD Professor in the Anesthesiology department at Medical College of Wisconsin




MESH terms used to index this publication - Major topics in bold

Adult
Autonomic Nerve Block
Cervical Vertebrae
Female
Humans
Magnetic Resonance Imaging
Male
Middle Aged
Sodium Chloride
Solutions
Stellate Ganglion
Trachea