Short Communication: Stellate Ganglion Blockade for Persistent Olfactory and Gustatory Symptoms Post-COVID-19

Vaughna Galvin,1 Dennis J Cheek,2 Yan Zhang,3 Gregory Collins,1 David Gaskin4 1School of Nurse Anesthesia, Texas Christian University, Fort Worth, TX, USA; 2School of Nursing, Texas Christian University, Fort Worth, TX, USA; 3Harris College of Nursing and Health Sciences, Texas Christian University, Fort Worth, TX, USA; 4Republic Pain Specialists, Physicians Centre Hospital, Bryan, TX, USACorrespondence: Vaughna Galvin, School of Nurse Anesthesia, Annie Richardson Bass Building, 2800 West Bowie Street, Suite 3101, Fort Worth, TX, 76109, USA, Tel +1 817-257-7887, Fax +1 817-257-5472, Email V.B.GALVIN@tcu.eduAbstract: One hundred ninety-five patients presenting with post-COVID symptomology, including parosmia and dysgeusia, underwent reversible stellate ganglion blockade. Stellate ganglion blockade was performed at an outpatient facility, and patients were evaluated via survey at seven days post-injection. Of the 195 participants, ages ranged from 18– 69 years of age with the breakdown of sexes being females n = 157 and males n = 38. The most significant finding was a reported improvement in olfaction post-injection in 87.4% of subjects. The effectiveness of this novel treatment for post-COVID is promising and warrants further investigation.Keywords: cervical sympathetic block, COVID, parosmia, dysgeusia, dysautonomia