Role of Superficial Cervical Plexus Nerve Block for Chronic Neuropathic Neck Pain

Alexandra Jankulov, MD, MS and Darryl Brown, MD

Department of Anesthesiology, Perioperative and Pain Medicine,  Mount Sinai West and Morningside Hospitals

Introduction

The cervical plexus nerve block is a regional anesthesia technique effective for providing dense anesthesia and analgesia in the C2 to C4 nerve root distribution, covering the anterolateral neck, earlobe, clavicle, and acromioclavicular joint. The sensory component of the cervical plexus can be blocked separately and easily through a superficial cervical plexus nerve block (SCPNB), while both motor and sensory block can be achieved with a deep cervical plexus nerve block. This block can be administered using either landmark-based or ultrasound-guided methods. Common indications for the SCPNB include procedures involving superficial neck structures, carotid endarterectomies, lymph node dissections, pain management for clavicular fractures,, and more. The utilization of SCPNBs in the outpatient setting may be a beneficial adjunctive modality for the treatment of chronic neck pain.