Korean J Pain.  2007 Dec;20(2):154-157. 10.3344/kjp.2007.20.2.154.

The Efficacy of Stellate Ganglion Block in Sensorineural Anosmia Patients Unresponsive to Steroid Therapy

• Moon HS
• Lee HJ
• Sung CH
• Lim SJ
• Choi JH

• KMID: 2278057
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.3344/kjp.2007.20.2.154

Abstract

BACKGROUND: Anosmia can be frustrating for both the patient and physician, with no clear treatment. We prospectively investigated the effects of stellate ganglion block (SGB) in anosmic patients who were unresponsive to conventional steroid therapy.
METHODS
Thirteen patients with anosmia were treated with SGB. To evaluate the improvement in olfactory function, we evaluated both changes in subjective symptoms and the butanol threshold test. The number of SGB required for improvement in olfactory function was counted.
RESULTS
Seven patients (54%) showed improvement of olfactory function with SGB. The average number of SGB for the first response was 7.4 +/- 5.9 times.
CONCLUSIONS
These results suggest that SGB may be a good treatment modality for patients with anosmia unresponsive to steroid therapy.

Keyword

anosmia; stellate ganglion block

MeSH Terms

Humans
Olfaction Disorders*
Prospective Studies
Stellate Ganglion*