MRI Specialist Cluster Headache Treatment Centers
Sphenopalatine Ganglion (SPG): A group of nerve cells that are linked to the trigeminal nerve- the nerve which sends information about sensation, such as pain, to the face. The Sphenopalatine Ganglion is found behind the eye and nose.
SPG neurostimulator: a device used to send low or high frequencies to the Sphenopalatine Ganglion.
In the following study of 6 patients with chronic headaches received Sphenopalatine Ganglion implants and were randomly assigned to receive high frequency or low-frequency stimulation. The Sphenopalatine Ganglion neurostimulator sends frequencies to the sphenopalatine ganglion thus stimulating it. The patients were randomly selected to receive 3 minutes of high frequency or low-frequency Sphenopalatine Ganglion stimulation on 2 separate days. Headache properties and symptoms were recorded during and after the procedure.
6 patients took part in the full study. Of the 6 patients who completed the study, all 6 patients reported one-sided cluster-like headaches during low-frequency Sphenopalatine Ganglion stimulation and 30 min after. These symptoms stopped with high-frequency Sphenopalatine Ganglion stimulation. One patient reported a headache attack after 3 minutes of high-frequency Sphenopalatine Ganglion stimulation. The attack was stopped with continued treatment of high-frequency Sphenopalatine Ganglion stimulation.
View the original Sphenopalatine Ganglion Block migraine treatment at this link: Experimental activation of the sphenopalatine ganglion provokes cluster-like attacks in humans
- “It is, however, not known whether these autonomic symptoms are caused by trigeminal nociception per se (clinically presented with severe unilateral pain) or if parasympathetic outflow plays a primary role by activating trigeminal afferents and thereby causing or sustaining head pain during cluster attacks.”
