The Effect of Bilateral, Two-Level Cervical Sympathetic Chain Blocks on Specific Symptom Clusters for Traumatic Brain Injury, Independent of Concomitant PTSD Symptoms
<b>Background/Objectives</b>: The aim of this study was to determine if performing ultrasound-guided, bilateral, two-level cervical sympathetic chain blocks (2LCSBs) (performed on subsequent days) improves symptoms associated with traumatic brain injury (TBI) that do not overlap with pos...
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| Main Authors: | , , , , |
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
| Published: |
MDPI AG
2024-11-01
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| Series: | Brain Sciences |
| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | https://www.mdpi.com/2076-3425/14/12/1193 |
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| Summary: | <b>Background/Objectives</b>: The aim of this study was to determine if performing ultrasound-guided, bilateral, two-level cervical sympathetic chain blocks (2LCSBs) (performed on subsequent days) improves symptoms associated with traumatic brain injury (TBI) that do not overlap with posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD). <b>Methods</b>: A retrospective chart review was conducted between August 2022 and February 2023. We identified twenty patients who received bilateral 2LCSBs for PTSD and anxiety symptoms and who also had a history of TBI. Neurobehavioral Symptom Inventory (NSI) scores were collected at baseline, one week, and one month post treatment in 13 males and 7 females. A sub-analysis of the first ten questions of the NSI, which we identified as not overlapping with PTSD or anxiety symptoms, generated an NSI sub-score. <b>Results</b>: Out of 20 patients, all showed improvement in their NSI scores and NSI sub-scores. The NSI sub-scores had a baseline average of 15.45 (on a 40-point scale); the average score at one week post treatment was 8.30; and that at one month post treatment was 7.80. This represents a 49.51% improvement in TBI symptoms which did not overlap with PTSD or anxiety symptoms between baseline and one month. <b>Conclusions</b>: The use of bilateral 2LCSBs may be helpful in treating patients with TBI, regardless of the presence of comorbid PTSD symptoms. |
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| ISSN: | 2076-3425 |