This ganglion is actually an extension of the sympathetic chain that is located throughout the spine on both sides of the vertebrae.
Its location is on the outer side in front of the C6 or C7 vertebrae (bilaterally).
We may block it in the treatment of sympathetically related painful conditions in the head and neck and upper limbs and upper thoracic dermatomes. As:
1. (Post herpetic neuralgia) (PHN)
2. (Complex regional pain syndrome) (CRPS)
3. Cancer pains of upper limbs and head and neck
4. Painful conditions related to the vascular system such as: vascular insufficiency, vasospasm, arterial embolism
5. Chest pain caused by angina pectoris
6. Excessive sweating of the hands (along with thoracic sympathetic block)
The block may be performed under the guidance of fluoroscope or sonography and with local anesthesia. For long-term block, RF can be used.
Roundup: Dr. Hossein Arjamand