title: [Stellate ganglion radiofrequency neurolysis under CT guidance. Preliminary study].
abstract: Sympathetically maintained pain syndrome of the upper limb is difficult to treat even with high doses of specific medication. Stellate ganglion block by in situ injection of a local anesthetic is an efficient and accepted method for diagnosis and treatment. The sedative effect is however transitory linked to the short effect of the drug. CT guidance, displaying an excellent contrast between soft tissues, bones, vessels and nerves, is a well suited and safe mean of guidance. Seven patients suffering from reflex sympathetic dystrophy were treated by stellate ganglion radiofrequency (RF) neurolysis at two sites (C7 and T1). Patients were evaluated for pain before and immediately after the procedure and at three months. Four patients had a significant (50%) pain relief lasting at 3 month. One patient had a temporary pain (one week) and 2 no pain relief. No patient had a Horner syndrome. One patient had a temporary neuralgia of surrounding nerves (brachial plexus). RF neurolysis of stellate ganglion under CT-guidance is precise and appears efficient but further investigation on a larger cohort of patients is needed.
authors.affiliation: Service de Radiologie A, CHU Jean Minjoz, Besançon France.
authors.forename: B
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Kastler
authors.forename: D
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Michalakis
authors.forename: C H
authors.initials: CH
authors.lastname: Clair
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Allal
authors.forename: E
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Delabrousse
authors.forename: P H
authors.initials: PH
authors.lastname: Peireira
authors.forename: Z
authors.initials: Z
authors.lastname: Boulahdour
authors.forename: J F
authors.initials: JF
authors.lastname: Litzler
authors.forename: F
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Monnier
authors.forename: B
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Fergane
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D001132:Arm / Q000294:innervation; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010147:Pain Measurement; D011183:Postoperative Complications / Q000209:etiology; D012019:Reflex Sympathetic Dystrophy / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000601:surgery*; D013233:Stellate Ganglion / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000601:surgery*; D025321:Surgery, Computer-Assisted; D013562:Sympathectomy; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed; D016896:Treatment Outcome
vernacular_title: Neurolyse du ganglion stellaire par radiofréquence sous guidage scanographique. Etude preliminaire.