The following is a new article that may be the explanation of the phenomenal success many patients have with Sphenopalatine Ganglion (SPG) Blocks.  

Abstract

Aim

To identify clinical predictors of cranial autonomic symptoms (CAS) in chronic migraine (CM) and explore the role of cranial parasympathetic outflow.

Methods:

We conducted a cross-sectional study using audit data from first consultation letters of 333 patients diagnosed with CM at King's College Hospital London (January 2015 to September 2019). All met the International Classification of Headache Disorders, 3rd edition (ICHD-3) criteria for CM. Predictors included sex, aura, age, pain quality and headache laterality. A generalized linear regression model with a Poisson distribution was used to analyze CAS count predictors.

Results:

Of 333 cases, 85.2% were female and 54% reported aura. CAS were present in 75.1%, with 19.8% experiencing unilateral symptoms. CAS count was positively skewed (mode = 0; median = 2). Female sex (β = 0.244; p = 0.036), aura (β = 0.328; p < 0.001) and unilateral CAS (β = 0.317; p < 0.001) were significant positive predictors. Pain quality and age were not significant.

Conclusions:

Female sex and aura are linked to increased CAS in CM. Enhanced trigeminal-autonomic reflex activation may represent a protective cerebrovascular mechanism. CAS may contribute to maintaining perfusion or modifying nociceptive input during attacks. Targeted therapies modulating this pathway could benefit females with aura and frequent CAS.

Keywords: aura; cranial autonomic symptoms; female; parasympathetic outflow; trigeminal-autonomic reflex.

SPHENOPALATINE GANGLION BLOCKS WORK ON THE AUTONOMIC NERVOUS SYSTEM AND ACT TO RESET THE AUTONOMIC NERVOUS SYSTEM.  THIS ARTICLE DISCUSSES HOW THE AURA MAY BE A WAY OF PROTECTING SUFFERERS FROM MORE SEVERE SYMPTOMS.

SPG BLOCKS ARE UTILIZED IN EMERGENCY DEPARTMENTS FOR PATIENTS PRESENTING WITH SEVERE MIGRAINE AND CLUSTER HEADACHES.

THE SPHENOPALATINE GANGLION (SPG) IS CENTER OF AUTONOMIC INPUT INTO THE TRIGEMINAL-VASCULAR SYTEM RESPONSIBLE FOR CAUSING AND RELIEVING ALL ALMOST HEADACHES, MIGRAINES CLUSTER HEADACHES AND OTHER AUTONOMIC CEPHALGIAS.  

THE SPG HAS PREGANGLIOTIC PARASYMPATHETIC FIBERS AND POST GANGLIOTIC SYMPATHETIC NERVES FROM THE STELLATE GANGLIION AND CERVICAL SYMPATHETIC CHAIN.

SASPGB or Self-Administration of SPG Blocks can give miraculous relief to many patients and can be used as a prophylactioc to prevent Migraines and Cluster Headaches.

SASPGB is easily accomplished with cotton-tipped catheters and lidocaine.  This method has the best patient control and gives continual capillary feed on anesthetic unlike other methods og administration. 

Extremely Severe Headaches, Migrains, Cluster Headaches and Trigeminal Neuralgia are sometimes treated with injection into the SPG.  Those patients, with severe pain can be taught to use SASPGB to prevent the most severe exacerbations or stop the headaches.

#Migraine, #Cluster Headache, #SASPGB,