Abstract
A typical case with progressive facial hemiatrophy was treated with a new therapeutic trial, stellate ganglion block.
The present case, a Japanese girl, suffered from progressive atrophy involving the soft tissue of the left buccal region, with onset at the age of 6 following a minor local trauma. She visited our hospital at the age of 9, and as soon as the diagnosis was made, left stellate ganglion block was initiated. Local injection of lidocaine was performed 53 times over the period of 1 year and 4 months. During this period of therapy and the subsequent follow-up period of 4 years, the state of atrophy remained unchanged and nonprogressive.
Stellate ganglion block as a therapy against progressive facial hemiatrophy was considered to be worth further evaluation, although it was impossible to judge, based solely on our experience, whether the arrest of progression was attributable to the therapy.
The rationale of this therapy was also discussed. It was based upon the assumption that atrophy may result from irritation of the cervical sympathetic nerve, one of the most popular theories regarding the pathomechanism of progressive facial hemiatrophy.
