• Sphenopalatine ganglion block : a promising approach for headache and supratentorial intracranial surgery ?

    Schyns O , Beck F , Franssen C , Tran G
    Rev Med Liege 2024, 79(2),94-98

    Abstract : We aimed to determine whether sphenopalatine ganglion block (SPGB) had a place as a treatment for headache, as well as its place as an anterior component of scalp block for supratentorial intracranial surgery. Using the keywords «sphenopalatine ganglion», «sphenopalatine ganglion block», «pain», «surgery» and «craniotomy» in PubMed and Google Scholar, we identified 14 relevant articles. The methods used to perform the block and the treatment of control groups differed between studies. The main outcomes studied were reduction in pain scores and hemodynamic variations during supratentorial intracranial surgery. All articles concluded that SPGB was equal or superior compared with other procedures. Although there are still several points to be studied, considering the ease of application, the low number of complications and the results of the studies, the use of SPGB for the headache treatment and in neurosurgery as an anterior component of scalp block seems appropriate.

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