Stellate Ganglion Blocks The stellate ganglion is a collection
of nerves (sympathetic) found at the level of the sixth and
seventh cervical vertebrae (the last vertebra of the neck). The
nerves are located in front of the vertebrae. They are part of
the sympathetic nervous system and supply the face and arm.
These nerves are not involves with feeling or movement.
Sometimes, after a nerve is sensitized by trauma, infection or
other causes, the sympathetic activity can cause pain. Blocking
the sympathetic activity by anesthetizing the stellate ganglion
may stop the pain. A stellate ganglion block (sympathetic block)
is an injection of local anesthetic into the front of the neck.
A stellate ganglion block is done to: - Diagnose the cause of
pain in the face and head, arms and chest - Manage pain in the
head, neck, chest or arm caused by nerve injuries, the effects
of an attack of shingles (herpes zoster) or angina that doesn't
go away - Reduce sweating in the face, head, arms and hands -
Treat reflex sympathetic