title: [Ganglion block. When and how?].
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Increasing understanding of the anatomy and physiology of neural structures has led to the development of surgical and percutaneous neurodestructive methods in order to target and destroy various components of afferent nociceptive pathways. The dorsal root ganglia and in particular the ganglia of the autonomous nervous system are targets for radiological interventions. The autonomous nervous system is responsible for the regulation of organ functions, sweating, visceral and blood vessel-associated pain.
  
  
  METHODS
  Ganglia of the sympathetic chain and non-myelinized autonomous nerves can be irreversibly destroyed by chemical and thermal ablation.
  
  
  METHODS
  Computed tomography (CT)-guided sympathetic nerve blocks are well established interventional radiological procedures which lead to vasodilatation, reduction of sweating and reduction of pain associated with the autonomous nervous system.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Sympathetic blocks are applied for the treatment of various vascular diseases including critical limb ischemia. Other indications for thoracic and lumbar sympathectomy include complex regional pain syndrome (CRPS), chronic tumor associated pain and hyperhidrosis. Neurolysis of the celiac plexus is an effective palliative pain treatment particularly in patients suffering from pancreatic cancer. Percutaneous dorsal root ganglion rhizotomy can be performed in selected patients with radicular pain that is resistant to conventional pharmacological and interventional treatment.
authors.affiliation: Sektion für Mikroinvasive Therapie Universitätsklinik für Radiologie, Medizinische Universität Innsbruck, Anichstr. 35, 6020, Innsbruck, Österreich. reto.bale@i-med.ac.at.
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Bale
mesh_terms: D000779:Anesthetics, Local / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D001340:Autonomic Nerve Block / Q000379:methods*; D001416:Back Pain / Q000517:prevention & control*; D019317:Evidence-Based Medicine; D006801:Humans; D015641:Radiography, Interventional / Q000379:methods*; D019051:Rhizotomy / Q000379:methods*; D025321:Surgery, Computer-Assisted / Q000379:methods*; D016896:Treatment Outcome
chemical_list: D000779:Anesthetics, Local
keywords: Complex regional pain syndrome; Dorsal root ganglion; Hyperhidrosis; Peripheral arterial occlusive disease; Radiofrequency ablation