Sphenopalatine ganglion radiofrequency lesions in the treatment of facial pain

The Sphenopalatine Ganglion: Anatomy, Pathophysiology, and Therapeutic Targeting in Headache

“…Complications are mostly related to the needle insertion and may include infection, epistaxis or internal bleeding, damage to the maxillary artery and nerve and its branches (greater and lesser petrosal nerves), hemodynamic instability, numbness or dysesthesia of the upper teeth, hard palate, or pharynx, decrease in lacrimation and nasal mucus production . SPG RFTA can also cause reflex sinus bradycardia and close monitoring of vital signs is essential for early diagnosis of this complication .…”

The Effect of Regional Anesthetic Sphenopalatine Ganglion Block on Self‐Reported Pain in Patients With Status Migrainosus

“…In 2010, hospitalization cost for SM totaled approximately $375 million. 5,6 Regional anesthetic suprazygomatic SPG block (SSPGB) likely affects parasympathetic outflow to cranial vascular structures, although the mechanism is not completely understood. 3 The sphenopalatine ganglion (SPG) is the largest extracranial parasympathetic ganglion in the body and is part of the autonomic nervous system that may play a role in the therapeutic treatment of SM.…”

“…Since the SPG is anatomically located adjacent to facial sensory nerves and trigeminal nerve branches, it has a potential role in the pathophysiology of unilateral headache and idiopathic facial pain mediated through the trigeminovascular complex. 5,6 Regional anesthetic suprazygomatic SPG block (SSPGB) likely affects parasympathetic outflow to cranial vascular structures, although the mechanism is not completely understood. 7 When a migraine is triggered, the trigeminal-autonomic reflex is activated.…”

Anatomic Landmarks and Morphometric Measurements for Accurate Localization of the Sphenopalatine Ganglion via the Transnasal and Infrazygomatic Approaches: A Cadaveric Study

“…This ganglion has multiple connections to trigeminal, facial and sympathetic systems, consists of somatosensory, sympathetic as well as parasympathetic fibers and receives a sensory, parasympathetic and a sympathetic root. [1][2][3][4] Sphenopalatine ganglion block is an accepted and effective method for treatment of variety of clinical conditions, such as cluster headaches, acute migraine, trigeminal and other facial neuralgias, pain relief in head and neck malignancies as well as amelioration of musculoskeletal pain. 1,2,[4][5][6][7][8][9] The SPG blockade has been achieved with variety of methods.…”