Sphenopalatine ganglion block for refractory COVID-19 headache: a descriptive case series

Coronavirus SARS-CoV-2 is responsible for the COVID-19 pandemic, and headache is reported in 6.5% to 34% of all cases. There is little published evidence on the pharmacological treatment of COVID-19 headache. This case series presents six COVID-19 infected patients with refractory headache in which...

Full description

Bibliographic Details
Main Authors: Felipe Chiodini Machado, Gilson Carone Neto, Rebeca Santiago Duarte Carone
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Elsevier 2021-11-01
Series:Brazilian Journal of Anesthesiology
Subjects:
Online Access:http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0104001421001895
Description
Summary:Coronavirus SARS-CoV-2 is responsible for the COVID-19 pandemic, and headache is reported in 6.5% to 34% of all cases. There is little published evidence on the pharmacological treatment of COVID-19 headache. This case series presents six COVID-19 infected patients with refractory headache in which intranasal bedside Sphenopalatine Ganglion Block was performed for analgesia. All patients had a reduction in headache intensity from severe to mild or no pain after the procedure with minor transient side effects. Proposed mechanisms of action include reduction of local autonomic stimuli, intracranial vasoconstriction, and reduction of vasoactive substances release in the pterygopalatine fossa.
ISSN:0104-0014