New research 861: Alcohol, SPG and CH!
New research 861: Alcohol, SPG and CH!
One would expect some debate on this subject?
Neuroradiology. 2014 Apr 26. [Epub ahead of print]
Alcohol percutaneous neurolysis of the sphenopalatine ganglion in the management of refractory cranio-facial pain.
Kastler A1, Cadel G, Comte A, Gory G, Piccand V, Tavernier L, Kastler B.
Author information 1Neuroradiology Department, Grenoble University Hospital, Grenoble, France
Abstract
INTRODUCTION: The sphenopalatine ganglion (SPN) has been proven to be involved in various types of facial pain syndromes. Management of these cranio-facial pain syndromes can be challenging, and existing specific treatments are sometimes inefficient and may fail. The purpose of this study is to describe and evaluate alcohol SPN in the management of cranio-facial pain.
METHODS: Forty-two patients suffering from refractory facial pain who underwent 58 consecutive SPN were included in this study between 2000 and 2013. Patients were divided into three groups: group "cluster headache" (CH), group "persistent idiopathic facial pain" (PFIP), and group "Other". Pain was assessed using Visual Analogue Scale scores (measured immediately before and after procedure and at regular intervals following the procedure). Alcohol SPN was considered to be effective when pain relief was equal to or greater than 50 % and lasting for at least 1 month. All procedures were realized ambulatory under CT guidance and consisted of an injection of 1 ml of absolute alcohol.
RESULTS: Overall efficacy rate of alcohol SPN was 67.2 %, with mean pain relief duration of 10.3 months. Procedure was graded either not painful or tolerable by patients in 64.2 %. Analysis showed a higher efficacy rate in the groups CH (76.5 
and PFIP (85.7 compared to the group Other (40 %). No difference was found between groups regarding the recurrence rate.
CONCLUSION: Alcohol SPN under CT guidance appears as a safe and effective treatment of refractory facial pain, especially in cases of cluster headache and persistent idiopathic facial pain.
ATB
P.
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Whaaaaat! I don't believe it! I can't even have bloody sherry trifle and they're saying I could use alcohol to get rid of a CH attack, love to know what the Prof thinks!
Val. xx
Incredible! Do they really know what they are talking about.
Chairman OUCH UK
Wow - that's amazing! Does this mean I should just inhale my wine from now on?
Dorothy
OUCH (UK) Trustee
I don't fancy champagne on an IV drip, it ruins the taste!
Seriously, thank goodness I'm not a CH sufferer in Grenoble!
Val. xx
Got this from the specialist that knows:
Well it is a small local injection- but I agree destructive is just not sensible
Chairman OUCH UK
right wheres my 59% proof Talisker and a needle! Im going in
Any thing in the presuit of science and why they didn't use Scotland as a trial I don't know!!!
Probably because once you go past a certain level you become immune to things.
Just look at me and er' indoors. She gives me earache all day, now I'm just immune to it all
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Probably why the French study had good results.
They have vineyards like we have garden sheds.