A case report of stellate ganglion block in the treatment of epileptic pain

RATIONALE Stellate ganglion blocks have been shown to provide effective pain relief in a number of different conditions, but no one had reported stellate ganglion blocks for the treatment of epileptic pain. We describe a case report of the successful use of stellate ganglion block in the treatment of epileptic pain in the patient. PATIENT CONCERNS A 8-year-old girl who had experienced severe paroxysmal pain in her right upper limb. DIAGNOSES She was diagnosed as drug-resistant partial epilepsy. INTERVENTIONS The patient received stellate ganglion blocks with lidocaine for 2 courses with 2 weeks in a course of treatment and oral carbamazepine once a day. OUTCOMES Carbamazepine dosage gradually tapered until stop and epileptic pain attacks become less and less, eventually disappear. LESSONS Stellate ganglion block may be an effective treatment of intractable partial epilepsy. However, more research is now needed to verify the validity.