Stellate Ganglion Block in Patients With Cerebral Small Vessel Disease

Stellate Ganglion Block in Cerebral Small Vessel Disease Patients With Dysphagia and Cognitive Impairment

A prospective study was conducted on 84 CSVD patients with dysphagia and cognitive impairment. They were divided into the comparison group and observation group evenly. All the patients were provided with routine therapy, while the patients in the observation group were given SGB. The swallowing function, cognitive function and activities of daily living of the two groups of patients before and after treatment were evaluated by Penetration-Aspiration Scale, Mini-mental state examination and modified Barthel index.

In order to observe the effect of stellate ganglion block (SGB) on swallowing function, cognitive function and activities of daily living in patients with cerebral small vessel disease (CSVD), A prospective study was conducted on 84 CSVD patients with dysphagia and cognitive impairment. They were divided into the comparison group and observation group evenly. All the patients were provided with routine therapy, while the patients in the observation group were given SGB. The swallowing function, cognitive function and activities of daily living of the two groups of patients before and after treatment were evaluated by Penetration-Aspiration Scale, Mini-mental state examination and modified Barthel index.

Inclusion Criteria:

• Age>18 years.
• Meeting the diagnostic criteria for cerebral small vessel disease Imaging proposed in 2013 by the international cerebral small vessel disease Expert Group, and the "Consensus on Diagnosis and Treatment of Cerebral Small Vessel Disease in China" in 2017.
• Dysphagia confirmed by Videofluoroscopic Swallowing Study
• Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE)<27, indicating the existence of cognitive impairment.
• No history of prior stroke.
• Stable vital signs.

Exclusion Criteria:

• Dysphagia that might be caused by other diseases that might cause dysphagia, such as head and neck tumors, traumatic brain injury, myasthenia gravis, etc.
• Cognitive impairment that might be caused by other diseases, such as Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson's disease, brain injury, etc.
• Neurological blockade contraindications such as bleeding tendency, blocked site infection.
• MMSE<10, or unable to successfully finish the assessment of this study (Patients with severe mental illness or intellectual disability might have difficulty to cooperate with the assessment).
• Complicated with severe liver and kidney failure, tumors, or hematological disorders.
• Simultaneously in need to undergo other therapy that might affect the outcomes of this study.
• Pregnant or nursing females.