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Persistent Coronavirus Disease 2019 Headache Relieved with Sphenopalatine Ganglion Block
Danielle Levin1, Martin Acquadro1, Joseph Cerasuolo1
1Department of Anaesthesia, St. Elizabeth's Medical Center, Brighton, Boston, USA.
Insights
A persistent headache following coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) infection was successfully treated. A single transnasal sphenopalatine ganglion block completely resolved the patient's debilitating 5-month headache.
Area of Science:
- Neurology
- Pain Medicine
- Infectious Diseases
Background:
- Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) has affected millions globally, with many survivors experiencing persistent symptoms.
- Long-term neurological sequelae, such as debilitating headaches, are increasingly reported post-COVID-19 infection.
- Refractory headaches pose a significant challenge in post-COVID-19 care.
Purpose of the Study:
- To report the first successful treatment of a persistent COVID-19-related headache.
- To evaluate the efficacy of a transnasal sphenopalatine ganglion block for post-viral headache.
Main Methods:
- A case study of a female patient in her early 50s with a 5-month history of daily, severe, retro-orbital headaches following COVID-19.
- The headache was resistant to standard analgesic medications.
- Treatment involved a single transnasal sphenopalatine ganglion block.
Main Results:
- The patient experienced complete resolution of her debilitating headache after the procedure.
- The transnasal sphenopalatine ganglion block provided immediate and sustained relief.
- This intervention effectively managed a persistent post-COVID-19 neurological symptom.
Conclusions:
- Transnasal sphenopalatine ganglion block is a potential therapeutic option for persistent headaches after COVID-19.
- This minimally invasive procedure offers a novel approach to managing long-term post-viral neurological complications.
- Further research is warranted to explore the broader application of this technique in post-infectious headache management.
Abstract:
According to the World Health Organization, as of September 2021, there have been over 226.8 million people diagnosed with coronavirus disease 2019 and over 4.6 million deaths from this disease. Out of those who have survived the coronavirus disease 2019 infection, many individuals have symptoms that linger on. We would like to describe the first report of a patient with a 5-month history of a persistent coro- navirus disease 2019 headache, which was finally successfully aborted with a single transnasal sphenopalatine ganglion block. A female in her early 50s presented to our pain clinic after suffering from a new, debilitating headache that began with the coronavirus disease 2019 illness and persisted for 5 months. Every evening the patient would experience a severe headache located deep inside/behind the left eye that would be resistant to analgesic medications. After 1 transnasal sphenopalatine ganglion block, the patient's coronavirus disease 2019 headache was completely resolved.
