PATIENT GUIDE TO SPHENOPALATINE GANGLION (SPG,) NERVE BLOCK This is a well established procedure for the control of chronic or long standing pain and has been has been safely and successfully performed since 1909. The SPG is a concentrated collection of nerve cells adjacent to the lower brain centers. It is a relay station that can regulate the flow of nerve impulses that transmit painful or distressing stimuli. This area is readily reached at either side at the back of the nose. The treatment involves the placement of wire applicators coiled with cotton dipped into a low dose local anesthetic and placed at the back of the nose. The low dose anesthetic is similar to that used by dentists for over 50 years. The applicators are left in place for about 30 minutes allowing the anesthetic to spread a short distance numbing the S.PG. Minor side effects may include: Reflex Tear Drops Tickling Feeling From The Cotton Rarely Patients May Experience A Superficial Nose Bleed Allergy To The Anesthetic, Which Is Rare Irritation To The Nose Or Epistaxis Which Rarely Happens In The Skilled Hand. The SPG block is used for the treatment of: Difficult Migraines Cluster Headaches Chronic Painful Conditions Facial Pain Post Shingles (Herpetic) Pain Fibromyalgia Pain In The Neck & Upper Back At the beginning, multiple blocks may be required to maintain a beneficial response. The treatments are cumulative. If no significant benefit occurs after 5 or 6 treatments, no further therapy is likely …
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