The Efficacy of Stellate Ganglion Block in Sensorineural Anosmia Patients Unresponsive to Steroid Therapy.
10.3344/kjp.2007.20.2.154
- Author:
Ho Sik MOON
1
;
Hae Jin LEE
;
Choon Ho SUNG
;
Su Jin LIM
;
Jin Hwan CHOI
Author Information
1. Department of Anesthesiology and Pain Medicine, St. Mary's Hospital, The Catholic University of Korea College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea. jwhchoi@catholic.ac.kr
- Publication Type:Original Article
- Keywords:
anosmia;
stellate ganglion block
- MeSH:
Humans;
Olfaction Disorders*;
Prospective Studies;
Stellate Ganglion*
- From:The Korean Journal of Pain
2007;20(2):154-157
- CountryRepublic of Korea
- Language:Korean
-
Abstract:
BACKGROUND: Anosmia can be frustrating for both the patient and physician, with no clear treatment. We prospectively investigated the effects of stellate ganglion block (SGB) in anosmic patients who were unresponsive to conventional steroid therapy. METHODS: Thirteen patients with anosmia were treated with SGB. To evaluate the improvement in olfactory function, we evaluated both changes in subjective symptoms and the butanol threshold test. The number of SGB required for improvement in olfactory function was counted. RESULTS: Seven patients (54%) showed improvement of olfactory function with SGB. The average number of SGB for the first response was 7.4 +/- 5.9 times. CONCLUSIONS: These results suggest that SGB may be a good treatment modality for patients with anosmia unresponsive to steroid therapy.
