Stellate Ganglion Block: An Interventional Option for the Treatment of Posttraumatic Stress Disorder

 

Posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD): 

-Anxiety disorder, persistent sense of serious threat 2/2 previously experienced traumatic event

-Significant distress & functional impairment

-Symptoms:

  -Intrusive thoughts

  -Irritability

  -Mood swings

  -Hypervigilance

  -Difficulty focusing/sleeping

 

Stellate ganglion block (SGB):

-Anesthesia of sympathetic nervous system of head, neck, and upper extremity

-Classically done to treat CRPS, postherpetic neuralgia, facial pain, peripheral neuropathy

 

PTSD hyperarousal ßà dysregulation of sympathetic nervous system 

SGB possible adjunct to trauma-focused psychotherapy PTSD