Transnasal Versus Suprazygomatic SPG Block in Persistant Idiopathic Facial Pain

Patients with chronic head and facial pain are frequently referred to us and some of these patients are persistent idiopathic facial pain patients who do not respond to conservative treatment. Various interventional treatment modalities can be applied to these patients. One of the treatments we frequently apply is sphenopalatine ganglion (SPG) blockage, which has an important place in the pathogenesis of chronic headache. The SPG is the target area for the treatment of cluster headache, migraine, postherpetic neuralgia, trigeminal neuralgia and other atypical facial pain syndromes due to its anatomical localisation and its role in the trigemino-cervical reflex. Although there are various techniques for SPG block, the simplest and most easily applicable is the transnasal approach and the traditional method is to apply a block with a cotton-tipped swab. Various local anaesthetics can be used, the most commonly used local anaesthetic is 2-3 ml of 2% or 10% lidocaine, usually administered through one nostril for 30 minutes. It is also possible to access SPG via the suprazygomatic route, and studies have shown that SPG block applied via the suprazygomatic route provides effective treatment of chronic headaches. In ultrasound-guided SPG block, after visualising the pterygopalatine fossa with USG, 3-4 mL of 2% lidocaine is administered to the area and blockage is achieved.

Our study was designed retrospectively. The primary aim of the study was to compare the efficacy of transnasal and suprazigomatic routes based on Numerical Rating Scale (NRS) pain scores by reviewing the files of patients who underwent sphenopalatine ganglion block for persistent idiopathic facial pain. The pain scores recorded before the procedure and one and four weeks after the procedure will be compared.

In this study, primary aim is to evaluate the efficacy of these two treatment modalities, with retrospectively evaluate the Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) score, HIT-6 (Headache Impact Test-6) score and headache diary data of the patients who have previously undergone these treatments in the pain clinic.

Inclusion criteria

• Diagnosis of persistent idiopathic facial pain according to ICHD-3 beta criteria
• Moderate to severe pain (pain of 6 or more on a numeric pain scale of 0-10)
• Persistence of pain for more than 6 months
• Pain unresponsive to conservative methods

Exclusion criteria

• Presence of secondary headache (tumor, bleeding, stroke, etc.)
• Cognitive impairment
• Hepatic or renal insufficiency
• Local or systemic infection
• Coagulopathy
• Patient refusal to accept treatment