Korean J Hosp Palliat Care.  2018 Dec;21(4):158-162. 10.14475/kjhpc.2018.21.4.158.

The Effect of Stellate Ganglion Block on Breast Cancer-Related Infectious Lymphedema

• Lee YY
• Park HS
• Lee YS
• Yoo SH
• Lee H
• Kim WJ

• KMID: 2435588
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.14475/kjhpc.2018.21.4.158

Abstract

Breast cancer related lymphedema (BCRL) is one of the most intractable complications after surgery. Patients suffer from physical impairment, as well as psychological depression. Moreover, a recent study revealed that cellulitis significantly increased the risk of BCRL, and cellulitis has been suggested as a risk factor of BCRL development. We describe a patient treated with stellate ganglion blocks (SGBs) without steroid for relief of symptoms and reduction of the arm circumference of breast cancer-related infectious lymphedema in a month. We measured the arm circumference at four locations; 10 cm and 5 cm above and below the elbow crease, numeric rating scale (NRS) score, lymphedema and breast cancer questionnaire (LBCQ) score on every visit to the pain clinic. A serial decrease of the arm circumference and pain score were observed after second injection. In the middle of the process, cellulitis recurred, we performed successive SGBs to treat infectious lymphedema. The patient was satisfied with the relieved pain and swelling, especially with improved shoulder range of motion as it contributes to better quality of life. This case describes the effects of SGB for infectious BCRL patients. SGB could be an alternative or ancillary treatment for infectious BCRL patients.

Keyword

Lymphedema; Stellate ganglion; Breast neoplasms; Breast cancer lymphedema

MeSH Terms

Arm
Breast Neoplasms
Breast*
Cellulitis
Depression
Elbow
Humans
Lymphedema*
Pain Clinics
Quality of Life
Range of Motion, Articular
Risk Factors
Shoulder
Stellate Ganglion*