Gasserian Ganglion Block
A gasserian ganglion block is a medical procedure in which a small dose of local anesthetics is applied directly to a bundle of nerves that supplies sensation to the face and scalp. This nerve block may bring relief to patients who suffer from trigeminal neuralgia and other syndromes of facial pain, as well as to patients who suffer from pain caused by cancer. In some instances, for instance in those patients who suffer from facial pain due to cancer, a small dose of medication to kill the nerve going to this nerve bundle (the gasserian ganglion) can be used. This is not an option for patients who do not have cancer.
Benefit:
Relief is instantaneous, if the pain that is experienced is related only to the nerves which go to the gasserian ganglion. Total duration of pain relief will be six to 12 hours. If a nerve-killing medication is used, maximum relief starts in one to two days, and may last up to three to six months.