Sphenopalatine ganglion blockade: a review and proposed modification of the transnasal technique

Abstract

The sphenopalatine ganglion block has been utilized over the last century for a wide variety of maladies. This paper provides a brief history of the use of the sphenopalatine ganglion block, a review of the sphenopalatine ganglion anatomy, and the diagnoses which currently warrant its use. The traditional transnasal sphenopalatine ganglion block is described and our modification of the traditional technique is proposed. A case study is described in which sphenopalatine block pain control in a patient with a 20-year history of poorly controlled pain from bilateral herpetic keratitis.