Certain chronic pain conditions involve abnormal activity of the "sympathetic nervous system". These pain conditions are therefore referred to as "Sympathetically Mediated Pain" syndromes. Sympathetic Nerve Block is a procedure that interrupts these pain signals. The procedure is commonly used for Complex Regional Pain Syndrome (CRPS), nerve injuries, vascular pain, cancer pain, and some chronic abdominal pain conditions. Using fluoroscopic guidance, medication is placed near the sympathetic nerves responsible for transmitting pain. Many patients experience reduced pain, improved circulation, and better movement following treatment.
T2-T3 Sympathetic Block and Stellate Ganglion Injections are the procedures performed for Sympathetically Mediated Pain involving the upper limb. While T2-T3 Sympathetic Block is performed exclusively under fluoroscopic guidance, the Stellate Ganglion injection is preferable performed under ultrasound guidance, or better still, as a hybrid technique involving both fluoroscopy as well as ultrasound
