Sphenocath

At TMJ & Sleep Therapy Centre of San Diego, we utilize the SphenoCath® device for delivering sphenopalatine ganglion (SPG) blocks, an advanced procedure aimed at managing certain types of facial pain, headaches, and chronic migraines. The SPG is a collection of nerves located deep within the nasal cavity, which plays a key role in modulating pain in the head, face, and neck. The SphenoCath® device delivers anesthetic through the nasal cavity, effectively delivering an SPG block for conditions such as trigeminal neuralgia, cluster headaches, and chronic migraines without the use of needles, cotton swabs, or harsh meds. For most, the procedure is comfortable, while others may briefly feel a very slight nasal irritation. This technique is particularly effective for patients who have not responded well to other treatments or prefer a non-surgical approach to pain management. The patient may feel some temporary numbness in the nose or throat and should rest for a short period after the procedure.

The Device

The SphenoCath is composed of a semi-rigid ticothane, and tico-tungsten sheath (gray) with an inner, pliable catheter and hub (purple—shown extended, above).

• The SphenoCath is a registered FDA Catagory-1 trans nasal drug delivery device.
• The SphenoCath is specifically designed to facilitate the delivery of local anesthetic to the para-sympathetic, sympathetic, and V2 maxillary division of the head’s principle autonomic nervous system pathways.
• The SphenoCath allows drug delivery access to the bilateral Sphenopalitine Ganglia (SPG), V2, and associated fibers involved with the entire SPG circuit.

The device is then slightly withdrawn.

The inner catheter is extended, and the local anesthetic is delivered. The procedure is repeated in the other nostril, and the patient remains in place for 7-10 minutes to maximize mucosal absorption.