How does the SPG nerve block procedure work to treat migraines?

An SPG nerve block is a procedure for treating migraine headaches. In this video, John Lipman, MD of the Sharecare Advisory Board explains how the procedure resets a patient’s pain receptors, and more.

Transcript

00:00

And after dwelling on top of the ganglion for about eight to 10 minutes, it will reset the pain response in these patients

00:07

in the vast majority of cases. [UPBEAT MUSIC]

00:22

It's injection of a ganglion with lidocaine. So this ganglion is located deep inside, below the nostrils.

00:35

And it's a very difficult area to reach. But with a special catheter under x-ray guidance,

00:42

we can steer it above where the ganglion sits, and inject liquid lidocaine onto the ganglion,

00:49

and let it sit there. And after dwelling on top of the ganglion for about eight to 10 minutes, it will reset the pain response

00:57

in these patients in the vast majority of cases. Headache, migraine-like headaches,

01:03

dental pain, facial pain is mediated through this ganglion back to the brain. And if you can anesthetize it and interrupt those pain

01:12

fibers, then the patient can get immediate relief. So when we do an SPG block in a patient that

01:19

has a migraine, when they come off the table, they typically-- the migraine is over with. [AUDIO LOGO]