MedClinic > Blog > Algology > Sphenopalatine ganglionitis

 

Sphenopalatine ganglionitis (Sluder`s syndrome) – inflammation of the peripheral nerve endings of the sphenopalatine ganglion. Ganglionitis occurs due to the inflammatory process that forms in the paranasal sinuses, and without timely treatment, it spreads further. Often, ganglionitis of the sphenopalatine ganglion is a consequence of dental diseases, for example, if the patient has extensive, advanced caries.

Causes of inflammation

Sphenopalatine ganglionitis occurs for the following reasons:

  • infectious and inflammatory diseases of the nasopharynx;
  • caries;
  • periodontitis;
  • pulpitis;
  • injuries of the face, jaw.

Factors that can provoke the development of this pathology:

  • smoking;
  • drinking alcohol;
  • the impact of frequent stressful situations;
  • chronic fatigue;
  • work in noisy workshops.

Sphenopalatine ganglionitis will not appear only because a person smokes or works in a hazardous production, but this significantly increases the risk of its occurrence, especially if there are infectious diseases or inflammatory processes of the nasopharynx.

Signs of ganglionitis

Symptoms of sphenopalatine ganglionitis:

  • intense pain, like an electric shock;
  • redness of the skin at the location of the damaged nerve;
  • increased salivation;
  • increased tearfulness;
  • hypertension;
  • trouble breathing
  • violation of blood supply of facial soft tissues.

Pain and increased tearing are present mainly in the same area of ​​the face where nerve damage has occurred, in rare cases, symptoms spread to both facial parts. With a prolonged course of the disease, when the patient does not consult a doctor for a long time, ganglionitis leads to a deterioration in general condition. Oedema appears under the eyes, numerous conjunctivitises can form, which further aggravate the condition of a patient.

Treatment

To relieve a person of severe pain, painkillers and anti-inflammatory drugs are prescribed. With severe pain, a nerve blockade is placed. Treatment of ganglionitis of the sphenopalatine node must be started with the clarification of the causes of the pathology, otherwise, therapy will only help temporarily remove the symptoms that will return immediately after its completion.

Active treatment can be carried out only in the absence of pronounced symptoms. During an exacerbation of the disease, treatment is reduced to the use of pain medications. Ganglionitis is treated complexly. Medical therapy and physiotherapy are used. Symptomatic treatment is mandatory. The patient is prescribed medications for the treatment of hypertension, dental diseases, chronic diseases of an infectious nature are treated.

With a prolonged course of the disease, when drugs and physiotherapy do not have a positive effect, surgical treatment is used – the operation is performed using a minimally invasive method, which reduces the risks of complications and injuries. The essence of the operation is to destroy the damaged nerve fibres along which the pain impulse passes. The operation is performed under x-ray control.

In case of impossibility to carry out the operation due to contraindications, a blockade is made to stop severe pain. The essence of this method is the introduction of a concentrated pain medication directly into the location of the damaged nerve. Auxiliary therapeutic techniques include the use of mud applications, a course of electrophoresis, dynamic current therapy.