Stellate ganglion

location

The stellate ganglion is formed by the fusion of the inferior cervical ganglion, which is the lowest ganglion of our neck, with the mostly first ganglion of our chest area. The resulting name is ganglion cervicothoracicum. So it represents a large network of nerves.

It can be found on the back of the top rib and behind the top of the pleura above the first rib, between the vertebral artery and our carotid artery.

General information can be found at: Ganglion of the nervous system

function

In order to understand the function of this ganglion, it is important to establish a connection to our nervous system. This Nerve conglomeration is related to our sympathetic nervous systemwhich fulfills the function of putting our body in an escape situation (keywords: fight, flight, fright). Accordingly, the above-mentioned outgoing pathways fulfill the tasks: parts of the head, the cervical nerves, the upper body (sweat glands, skin vessels and the lungs) and part of the heart to get goingto stimulate these body parts in a sympathetic way.

This can does not happen through free will, but is regulated at a higher level in our brain.

If the stellate ganglion fails, the aforementioned regions can no longer be supplied and the clinical picture of Horner Syndrome. But the blockage of this accumulation of nerve cells also has one Therapy function. More on this in the following:

Blockage of the stellate ganglion

A blockage of the stellate ganglion is known in clinical jargon by the name Stellate blockade known. Here, the function of the ganglion is suppressed locally by a specific drug. So the stellate ganglion can no longer affect our sympathetic nervous system.

But what is the purpose of the deactivation? As already mentioned above, our sympathetic nervous system plays a crucial role, which is responsible for putting our body in a flight, fight and terrifying situation. To produce this reaction, the body reacts with a Narrowing of the vessels, one increased heartbeat and with it one increased blood pressure. The same characteristics that are also present when you come across a saber-toothed tiger, for example.

Since our minds have no influence on whether the ganglion should be active or not - it is not a muscle that I can tense when I feel like it - such a stellate blockage can help. This causes a narrowing of the vessels with a extension counteracted, in addition, the Reduced sweat secretion. In addition, one can block this use for certain types of headache.

The doctor can use the symptoms of Horner's syndrome to determine whether he has carried out the blockage correctly.

Horner Syndrome

The term Horner Syndrome describes the failure of the already discussed ganglion and the associated ones Failure symptoms.

Possible causes for this are a Failure of the sympathetic nervous system (Spinal cord segments in the chest and neck area), one direct damage of the ganglion or its outgoing nerves. Three characteristic signs are under the term of Horner triad always to be found:

• 1. A narrowing or Reduction of the pupil sizewhich is known under the technical term miosis. The cause of this constriction is the failure of the dilatator pupillae muscle, which normally dilates the pupil, i.e. expands it. This muscle is made up of smooth muscles.
• 2. One Drooping of the eyelid, also known as Ptosis. The cause of this is a failure of the superior tarsalis muscle, also a smooth muscle and
• 3. One Sinking of the eye into the eye socket (Enophthalmus). The enophthalmos associated with Horner's syndrome is often referred to as pseudoenophthalmus, due to the fact that it often only looks as if the eye is sunk deep in the eye socket, due to the drooping of the eyelid.

More about this topic can be found: Horner Syndrome

Causes of a lesion of the stellate ganglion

There are several causes of an injury or lesion of the stellate ganglion. In rare cases, a so-called stellate blockage, a medical procedure to block nerves, can lead to a lesion.

In addition, certain types of cancer that may grow into or imprint on the ganglion can cause damage. Especially breast cancer (Breast cancer) and lung cancer (Bronchial carcinoma) can make themselves felt. A bronchial carcinoma at the tip of the lung that can cause these symptoms is called Pancoast tumor.

The symptoms of a ganglion-stellate lesion can also be caused by other diseases. This should be clarified by a doctor.

How can damage to the stellate ganglion be diagnosed?

Damage to the stellate ganglion triggers quite characteristic symptoms, which are usually sufficient for diagnosis.

There is a greatly reduced or no formation of sweat on the face (Anhidrosis). Horner's syndrome also occurs. This is shown in the eye by a narrowed pupil (Miosis), a slightly drooping upper eyelid (Ptosis) and a sinking in of the eyeball, which can often only be seen little (Globe) in the eye socket (Orbit).

If these symptoms occur, an imaging test - CT or MRI - can be used to look for a cause.

You can read more information on this topic here: Computed tomography - what should I pay attention to?