No adverse events or complications were reported during the study.
The study involved 54 patients with persistent post-COVID parosmia, with 59% experiencing improved symptoms after one week, and 82% of these patients reported substantial ongoing improvement after one month.
The study involved a minimally invasive procedure known as a stellate ganglion block, injecting anesthetic directly into the stellate ganglion on one side of the neck.
A recent study presented at the Radiological Society of North America (RSNA) annual meeting has suggested a potential treatment for restoring the sense of smell in patients suffering from long COVID. The treatment involves a minimally invasive procedure guided by imaging techniques, injecting anesthetic directly into the stellate ganglion on one side of the neck. This procedure, known as a stellate ganglion block, is used to stimulate the regional autonomic nervous system and has been previously used to treat various conditions, including cluster headaches, phantom limb pain, and cardiac arrhythmia.
The study, led by Adam C. Zoga, M.D., M.B.A., professor of musculoskeletal radiology at Jefferson Health in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, involved 54 patients with persistent post-COVID parosmia, a condition where the sense of smell is distorted. The results showed that 59% of the patients experienced improved symptoms after one week, and 82% of these patients reported substantial ongoing improvement after one month. At the three-month mark, there was a mean 49% improvement in symptoms among the 22 patients. Importantly, no adverse events or complications were reported during the study.
While these results are promising, it is important to note that further research is needed to confirm the effectiveness of this treatment and to understand its long-term effects. The study's findings offer hope for long COVID patients struggling with parosmia, but it is crucial to approach this information with caution until more data is available.
The study's sample size is relatively small, and further research is needed to confirm the effectiveness of this treatment and to understand its long-term effects.
The study involved 54 patients with persistent post-COVID parosmia, with 59% experiencing improved symptoms after one week, and 82% of these patients reported substantial ongoing improvement after one month.
The study, led by Adam C. Zoga, M.D., M.B.A., professor of musculoskeletal radiology at Jefferson Health in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, used a stellate ganglion block, injecting anesthetic directly into the stellate ganglion on one side of the neck to stimulate the regional autonomic nervous system.
The procedure has been used to treat various conditions, including cluster headaches, phantom limb pain, and cardiac arrhythmia.
At three months, there was a mean 49% improvement in symptoms among the 22 patients.