Evidence map›Paper›PMID 41608601›Full record

ArticleWorld journal of clinical cases2026

Sphenopalatine ganglion block for postdural puncture headache: A review of current evidence.

Pratap Rudra Mahanty, Biswajit Sen, Rishi Anand, Deb Sanjay Nag, Nirakar Pahadi, Dona Lodh, Tinali Upadhyaya

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PubMed Full text at PMC Publisher
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Article in World journal of clinical cases, 2026. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 1 paper.

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0cells of the map it votes in
1citing papers in PubMed
–field-weighted citation impact
1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

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The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

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3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

1 citing paper in PubMed.

  1. Review
4 · The record

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5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

7 authors.

Pratap Rudra MahantyDepartment of Anaesthesiology, Tata Main Hospital, Jamshedpur 831001, Jharkhand, India.
Biswajit SenDepartment of Anaesthesiology, Tata Main Hospital, Jamshedpur 831001, Jharkhand, India.
Rishi AnandDepartment of Anaesthesiology, Tata Main Hospital, Jamshedpur 831001, Jharkhand, India.
Deb Sanjay NagDepartment of Anaesthesiology, Tata Main Hospital, Jamshedpur 831001, Jharkhand, India. ds.nag@tatasteel.com.
Nirakar PahadiDepartment of Anaesthesiology, Tata Main Hospital, Jamshedpur 831001, Jharkhand, India.
Dona LodhDepartment of Anaesthesiology, Tata Main Hospital, Jamshedpur 831001, Jharkhand, India.
Tinali UpadhyayaDepartment of Anaesthesiology, Tata Main Hospital, Jamshedpur 831001, Jharkhand, India.

Funding

No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.

6 · The paper itself

Abstract

backgroundPostdural puncture headache (PDPH) is a significant complication of neuraxial procedures. Although conservative treatments and the invasive epidural blood patch (EBP) are currently standard approaches, the sphenopalatine ganglion (SPG) block is emerging as a promising, less-invasive alternative. The pathophysiology of PDPH involves cerebrospinal fluid leakage, resulting in reduced intracranial pressure and compensatory cerebral vasodilation, which is partially mediated by SPG stimulation. The SPG block aims to interrupt this vasodilation using local anesthetics, thereby alleviating headache symptoms.

aimTo provide a comprehensive overview of current evidence regarding the use of the SPG block in treating PDPH, explores the anatomical and physiological basis of this intervention, describes various administration techniques for administering the block, and critically assesses the efficacy and safety data from clinical studies

methodsA systematic literature search was conducted on PubMed and the Cochrane Database to identify systematic reviews and meta-analyses published up to April 2025, using the keywords "sphenopalatine ganglion block" and "post-dural puncture headache".

resultsThe SPG block is a simple, noninvasive, and effective bedside procedure. Clinical studies have demonstrated that it provides rapid pain relief, with high success rates and an onset of action typically within 10-30 minutes. The most used technique is the transnasal approach, which is associated with minimal and transient adverse effects such as nasal discomfort and bitter taste.

conclusionAlthough EBP remains the preferred treatment for severe PDPH, the SPG block is a viable alternative for mild-to-moderate cases, often allowing patients to postpone or avoid EBP. Comparative studies suggest that SPG block has a quicker onset than EBP, though in some cases, it provides shorter duration relief. Overall, the SPG block is a safe, effective, and readily accessible treatment for PDPH. Its minimally invasive nature and high success rate in providing rapid pain relief make it an excellent first-line alternative to more invasive procedures. Further large-scale, standardized randomized controlled trials are required to optimize protocols and fully integrate the SPG block into mainstream clinical practice.

Indexed as

Epidural blood patchNerve blockNeuraxial proceduresPost-dural puncture headachePostdural puncture headacheSphenopalatine ganglion block

Identifiers

PMID41608601
PMCPMC12836047

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Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.