Changes in blood flow at the mandibular angle and Horner syndrome in a rat model of superior cervical ganglion block

Abstract

BackgroundA stellate ganglion block (SGB) causes increased blood flow in the maxillofacial region, exhibiting the potential for regenerative effects in damaged tissue. The focus of this study was to understand the efficacy of SGB for regenerative effects against nerve damage. A rat model of the superior cervical ganglion block (SCGB) was created instead of SGB, and facial blood flow, as well as sympathetic nervous system function, were measured.MethodsA vertical incision was made on the left side of the neck of a Wistar rat, and a 5-mm resection of the superior cervical ganglion was performed at the back of the bifurcation of the internal and external branches of the left common carotid artery. Blood flow in the skin at the mandibular angle and mean facial temperature were measured using a laser-Doppler blood flow meter and a thermographic camera, respectively, over a 5-week period after the block. In addition, the degree of ptosis and miosis were assessed over a period of 6 months.ResultsThe SCGB rat showed significantly higher blood flow at the mandibular angle on the block side (P < 0.05) for 3 weeks, and significantly higher skin temperature (P < 0.05) for 1 week after the block. In the SCGB rat, ptosis and miosis occurred immediately after the block, and persisted even 6 months later.ConclusionsSCGB in rats can cause an increase in the blood flow that persists over 3 weeks.

Stellate Ganglion Block Combined with Dexmedetomidine Protects Obese Rats from Lipopolysaccharide-Induced Acute Lung Injury

“…SGB was originally used to relieve cancer pain. With the continuous deepening of research, it has been found that SGB can not only act on the head and neck, upper chest, and upper limbs, but also the immune system, endocrine system, cardiovascular system, and so on [ 10 ]. A large number of studies have shown that SGB can block the preganglionic and postganglionic fibers of the sympathetic nerve, inhibit the excitatory conduction of it, and inhibit the vascular and glandular activities in its innervated areas; increase the blood flow of the innervated areas such as the head, face, and vertebrobasilar artery, improve tissue oxygen supply, and reduce the damage of oxygen-free radicals; block the excessive activation of the hypothalamus–pituitary–adrenal axis and inhibit the stress response [ 11 , 12 ].…”

Prolonged blockade of the cervical sympathetic nerve by stellate ganglion block accelerates therapeutic efficacy in trigeminal neuropathy

“…On day 10 after initiation of SGB and 3 months postoperatively, all CPT values were signifi cantly lower in group L than in group M. CPT values at 2,000, 250, and 5 Hz, on day 10 after initiation of SGB were 72 (58-84), 44 , and 47 in group M, 44 (41.5-50), 28 (23.5-35) and 27 (26)(27)(28)(29)(30)(31)(32)(33)(34)(35)(36)(37) in group L, 3 months postoperatively were 48 (42-52), 28 (24)(25)(26)(27)(28)(29)(30)(31)(32)(33)(34)(35)(36)(37)(38)(39), and 27 (23)(24)(25)(26)(27)(28)(29)(30)(31)(32)(33)(34)(35)(36)(37) in group M and 33.5 (30)(31)(32)(33)(34)…”

“…In a rabbit model, SGB increased blood flow in the craniocervical region [27] and changed the tissue oxygen tension of the mental nerve [28]. In a rat model, SGB increased blood flow at the mandibular angle [29], promoted neurophysiological recovery and regeneration of damaged infraorbital nerves at an early stage [11], and was effective in a facial palsy model [30]. In another study, sympathetic ganglion block in dogs exhibited an increase in oral mucosal blood flow and nasal skin temperature, and IAN repair using polyglycolic acid-collagen tubes resulted in a significantly higher degree of nerve regeneration due to the progression of myelin sheath maturation and thickening [31].…”

Stellate ganglion block as an intervention in refractory eosinophilic granulomatosis with polyangiitis: a case report

“…The typical pathological feature of EGPA is necrotizing small vessel vasculitis accompanied by eosinophilic infiltrates and perivascular and extravascular granulomas, leading to ischemia of the involved organs [ 4 ]. SGB averts sympathetic innervation, resulting in peripheral vasodilatation and increased perfusion [ 11 ]; consequently, it is widely used to treat a variety of ischemic disorders of the head, chest, face, and upper extremities. Furthermore, SGB may directly suppress inflammation and edema of the vascular wall [ 8 ].…”