CT-guided procedure shows promise for restoring smell after long COVID

A CT-guided, minimally invasive procedure called a stellate ganglion block shows promise for restoring the sense of smell in patients with long COVID, according to research to be presented at the upcoming RSNA meeting.Parosmia, or impaired sense of smell, is a known symptom of COVID-19, and research has shown that up to 60% of patients with the disease are affected by parosmia. Most recover their sense of smell over time, but some continue to experience parosmia months or years after the initial infection, the team noted."Post-COVID parosmia is common and increasingly recognized," said study lead author, Adam Zoga, MD, of Jefferson Health in Philadelphia, PA, in a statement released November 20 by the RSNA.Zoga and colleagues investigated a possible treatment for parosmia consisting of a 10-minute, CT-guided stellate ganglion block. These nerves are on each side of the neck and are part of the body's autonomic nervous system; they deliver signals to the head, neck, arms, and upper chest. The procedure does not require sedation or intravenous anesthetic, just injected anesthetic at the site. Stellate ganglion blocks have been used for other conditions such as cluster headaches, phantom limb pain, angina, and cardiac arrhythmia, the team noted.The researchers conducted a study that included 54 patients referred by an ear, nose, and throat specialist after at least six months of post-COVID parosmia. All underwent the stellate ganglion block procedure; the team used CT to positio...
Source: AuntMinnie.com Headlines - Category: Radiology Authors: Tags: Subspecialties Neuroradiology CT 2023 Source Type: news