J Korean Pain Soc.  2002 Jun;15(1):58-62.

The Effects of Stellate Ganglion Block on the Level of Plasma Adrenocorticotrophic Hormone (ACTH) and Cortisol

• Choi YG
• Song JH
• Lim HK
• Han JW
• Lee SK
• Cha YD
• Shin JK
• Ryu JH

Abstract

BACKGROUND: Stellate ganglion block (SGB) is a sympathetic nerve block method which has been used most frequently in pain clinics due to its wide range of indications. This study was conducted to determine the endocrinologic response to repeated SGBs.
METHODS
Thirteen healthy volunteers were studied. SGB was performed one hundred times with 6 ml of 1% mepivacaine. Venous blood was drawn to measure plasma adrenocorticotrophic hormone (ACTH) and cortisol concentration before and after SGB for twenty, forty, sixty, eighty and one hundred times. The blood was drawn at 8:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m. every sampling day.
RESULTS
The plasma concentration of cortisol at 8:00 a.m. was significantly higher after SGB one hundred times than prior to SGB. The plasma concentration at 4:00 p.m. was significantly higher after SGB forty times than prior to SGB. The ACTH concentration was significantly lower after SGB eighty times and one hundred times at 8:00 a.m. and after SGB one hundred times at 4:00 p.m.
CONCLUSIONS
After SGB, the plasma concentration of cortisol tended to increase while the ACTH levels tended to decrease. However, the effects of endocrinologic response to SGB were unclear since all values were within the normal limit.

Keyword

Adrenocorticotrophic hormone; Cortisol; Stellate ganglion block

MeSH Terms

Adrenocorticotropic Hormone*
Autonomic Nerve Block
Healthy Volunteers
Hydrocortisone*
Mepivacaine
Pain Clinics
Plasma*
Stellate Ganglion*
Adrenocorticotropic Hormone
Hydrocortisone
Mepivacaine