The Comparison of Sympathetic Blockade of Stellate Ganglion Block and Thoracic Sympathetic Ganglion Block

Launched by SEOUL NATIONAL UNIVERSITY · Nov 8, 2023

Keywords

ClinConnect Summary

This clinical trial is studying two different procedures to help relieve chronic pain in the upper limb. Specifically, it compares two types of sympathetic nerve blocks: one guided by ultrasound (called the stellate ganglion block) and the other guided by X-ray (called the thoracic sympathetic nerve block). The goal is to see which method is more effective for patients suffering from conditions like complex regional pain syndrome or postherpetic neuralgia.

To be eligible for this trial, participants need to be adults aged 19 to 85 who have been experiencing chronic pain in their arms for more than three months. Patients will be randomly assigned to one of the two treatment groups, and the procedure will involve measuring temperature changes in their hands before and after the block to assess its effectiveness. Participants will also be asked questions about their pain and any side effects at various times during the study. Importantly, patients who have certain medical conditions or previous surgeries related to these nerves may not be eligible to participate. This trial is currently not recruiting participants, but it aims to provide valuable insights into pain management options.

Gender

ALL

Eligibility criteria

• Inclusion Criteria:
• • Adult patients with 19 - 85 years
• • Patients with chronic upper extremity pain that lasts for more than 3 months
• • Neuropathic pain conditions such as postherpetic neuralgia, complex regional pain syndrome, post laminectomy syndrome of cervical spine
• • Patients judged to require sympathetic blockade by pain physician
• Exclusion Criteria:
• • Patient refusal
• • Presence of upper limb vascular disorders
• • History of previous thoracic sympathetic ganglion removal or neurolysis
• • Abnormal findings in blood coagulation tests
• • Systemic infection or local injection site infection
• • Anatomical deformities at the injection site
• • Allergic reactions to the injected medications
• • Higher baseline hand temperature on the procedure side than the tympanic temperature (36.5°C) on pre-procedure thermography
• • Other cases deemed inappropriate by the investigator