Key clinical point: Ultrasound-guided stellate ganglion block (SGB) appeared to be safe and effective in reducing pain intensity, headache frequency and duration, and the need for adjunctive anti-migraine medications in elderly patients with migraine.
Major finding: At 3 months after ultrasound-guided SGB treatment, the mean Numerical Rating Scale score reduced from 7.3 at baseline to 3.6 ( P < .001), the mean headache frequency per month reduced from 23.1 days at baseline to 14.0 days ( P = .001), and the mean headache duration decreased from 22.7 hours at baseline to 14.3 hours ( P = .001), with 64% of patients experiencing ≥50% reduction in anti-migraine medication consumption. No procedure-related serious adverse events were reported.
Study details: Findings are from a retrospective observational case series study including 52 elderly patients (age ≥ 65 years) with migraine who received ultrasound-guided SGB treatment for headache management.
Disclosures: This study did not disclose the funding source. The authors declared no conflicts of interest.
Source: Yu B et al. Ultrasound-guided stellate ganglion block for the treatment of migraine in elderly patients: A retrospective and observational study. Headache. 2023;63(6):763-770 (Jun 14). Doi: 10.1111/head.14537