Neural Blockade

Abstract

The sympathetic nervous system has been implicated in the maintenance of numerous pain syndromes. Interruption of sympathetic pathways has been widely applied to relieve pain. Neurolytic sympathetic block is often well tolerated, because numbness and motor weakness are uncommon and neuritis rarely develops. The classic targets for sympatholysis are the stellate or cervicothoracic ganglion for facial and upper extremity pain, celiac plexus for abdominal pin, and lumbar sympathetic chain for lower extremity pain. In addition, the thoracic ganglion is occasionally blocked for the treatment of hyperhidrosis and of pain emanating from the pleura and esophagus. The recognition of the clinical utility of cervical epidural nerve block in the management of head, face, neck, shoulder, and upper extremity pain has brought the technique into the mainstream of contemporary pain management practice. Lumbar epidural nerve block has great utility in the management of a variety of acute, chronic, and cancer-related pain syndromes. The nerve root sleeve is particularly accessible to precise local anesthetic blocks. Segmental information gained from such nerve root blocks can be helpful in sorting out confusing patterns of referred pain to the limbs. The pathway for insertion of spinal needles must be planned so as to avoid damaging neural structures. Spinal nerve roots are particularly delicate structures and do not take kindly to being impaled.