Title: Innovative Procedure Shows Promising Results in Treating Long Covid Symptom
Philadelphia, PA – In a breakthrough study conducted by Jefferson Health, researchers have found that a simple procedure known as stellate ganglion block shows promise in reducing parosmia, the distorted sense of smell that commonly afflicts individuals suffering from long Covid. The findings have ignited hope for thousands of patients grappling with this debilitating symptom.
The procedure involves injecting an anesthetic into the stellate ganglion, a complex network of nerves located in the neck. Used for decades as a treatment for chronic pain, this 10-minute outpatient procedure has demonstrated surprising efficacy in improving parosmia.
Among the 37 patients who received the stellate ganglion block and underwent subsequent follow-up, a remarkable 22 reported significant improvement in their smell distortion just one week after the injection. Moreover, 18 of these individuals experienced a further reduction in symptoms after a month.
Doctors noted that most patients who responded positively to the initial treatment also saw added improvement after receiving a second injection on the opposite side of their neck. However, the procedure proved ineffective for those who experienced no change after the first treatment.
Unlike complex medical interventions, stellate ganglion block is a simple and non-sedating outpatient procedure. Medical professionals employ CT or ultrasound images to accurately locate the nerve bundle at the base of the neck before administering the injection.
Although minor side effects like a temporary droopy eyelid, dilated pupil, and mild vision loss lasting around 10 minutes have been reported, the symptoms quickly resolve themselves.
Understanding the exact mechanism behind the procedure’s effectiveness remains a challenge for doctors. Some experts speculate that stellate ganglion block may reset the nervous system, but further research is required to ascertain the precise mechanism.
While alternative treatments for parosmia, including nasal steroid sprays, saltwater rinses, and smell retraining, exist, stellate ganglion block is generally reserved for patients who have not responded adequately to these options.
Ongoing research aims to evaluate the efficacy of stellate ganglion block in treating severe parosmia and to determine whether a placebo effect plays a role. Although initial case reports have yielded promising results, additional comprehensive studies are necessary to validate these findings conclusively.
As researchers work diligently to unravel the mysteries behind this innovative procedure, hope continues to grow for patients living with long Covid and the distressing symptom of parosmia. With each breakthrough, the medical community moves one step closer to providing effective treatments that alleviate the burden on those suffering from this lingering condition.
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