This study published in the Journal of Neuroimmunology in 2022 reports on a case series of 10 patients with long COVID who received stellate ganglion blocks (SGBs). The SGBs were performed under ultrasound guidance and involved injecting a local anesthetic and steroid into the stellate ganglion, a nerve cluster located in the neck. The study found that the SGBs led to significant improvements in the patients' symptoms, including fatigue, shortness of breath, and cognitive dysfunction.
This video from NBC News describes the use of SGBs to treat long COVID symptoms. The article quotes Dr. Clifford Woolf, a professor of neurology at Harvard Medical School, who says that SGBs "can be a very effective way to treat some of the symptoms of long COVID."
Post-COVID-19 condition, or long COVID-19, includes lingering symptoms after the initial infection, ranging from mild to severe. Due to the evolving nature of SARS-CoV-2, treatment protocols remain under development. In a cohort study of 41 patients with long COVID-19, stellate ganglion block (SGB) was used, with 86% of patients reporting symptom improvement. Current treatments for long COVID-19 also involve homeopathic medicine, antivirals, hyperbaric oxygenation, and polypharmacy, with a focus on both physical and psychological impacts.
This blog post from the COVID Care Group discusses the potential use of SGBs to treat long COVID symptoms, such as loss of smell and taste. The post quotes Dr. Bruce Patterson, the founder and medical director of the COVID Care Group, who says that SGBs have been "very effective" in restoring smell and taste in patients with long COVID. The post also mentions that SGBs are typically performed under local anesthesia and are generally well-tolerated by patients.
This press release from Stella International and RTHM announces a partnership to develop and commercialize a minimally invasive device for SGBs. The device is designed to make SGBs easier to perform and more comfortable for patients.
This episode of the MPR News podcast "All Things Considered" provides an overview of SGBs, including how they are performed and what conditions they can be used to treat. The episode also includes interviews with two doctors who use SGBs to treat long COVID symptoms.
This video from NBC Chicago reports on the use of SGBs to treat long COVID symptoms in patients in the Chicago area. The article quotes Dr. Michael Greger, a pain management specialist at Northwestern Medicine, who says that SGBs have been "very effective" in treating long COVID symptoms such as fatigue, shortness of breath, and cognitive dysfunction.
