Sympathetic Blocks for Pain

The sympathetic nervous system (SNS) may play a critical role in the maintenance of certain pain states. These states have traditionally been treated with interventional procedures that block or modify the sympathetic discharge to the affected region. In addition, sympathetic blocks are also used in the treatment of ischemic pain states as well as visceral pain associated with abdominal or pelvic cancers. This chapter focuses on the basic concepts of SNS involvement in pain disorders and provides an overview of techniques that are utilized to diagnose and treat these conditions.