Ganglion Impar Blocks

A ganglion impar block is a safe and straightforward procedure used to treat various types of pain, including visceral, pelvic, genital, perineal, and anal pain. This injection belongs to the category of sympathetic blocks and can be effective in managing sympathetically-mediated pain, pain caused by malignancy, neuropathic pain, and post-surgical pain.

Patients who may benefit from this blockade often present with poorly localized pain in the “seat” region. This pain is often described as burning and may be accompanied by sensations of urgency during urination and/or defecation.

Procedure

Over the years, different techniques have been developed to perform the ganglion impar block, aiming to maximize ease of administration, patient safety, and the potential for optimal pain relief.

A successful ganglion impar block results in profound pain relief. Initially, local anesthetic is typically administered for diagnostic purposes or in patients with noncancer-related pain. If patients demonstrate a positive response to the local anesthetic injection, a therapeutic block is performed using a neurolytic agent such as phenol. Another treatment option for longer-lasting pain relief is radio-ablation of the ganglion impar.

The procedure usually takes less than 15 minutes. In some cases, your physician may recommend intravenous sedation to enhance your comfort during the procedure. Your physician will monitor your pain levels and vital signs, including pulse, blood pressure, and temperature, after the procedure.