Relief of Stapedial Myoclonus and Facial Pain with Stellate Ganglion Block: A Case Report

Saturday, November 15, 2025

2:23 PM - 2:31 PM CT

Location: 301 - 302

Introduction: The stapedius muscle protects the cochlea from excessive sound. Hyperactivity of this reflex, known as stapedius myoclonus, can cause disabling tinnitus and hyperacusis.1 Treatments such as pharmacotherapy, botulinum toxin, and muscle transection often provide incomplete relief.1 Stellate ganglion block, used for sympathetically mediated pain,2 has not been reported for this disorder. We describe the first case of refractory facial pain and stapedius myoclonus improved by serial ultrasound-guided SGBs.

Submitting Author(s)

ML

Michael Liu, n/a

Medical Student
Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine
Cleveland, Ohio, United States

Co-Author(s)

AZ

Amy Zhou, n/a

Medical Student
Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine, United States
SD

Shyam Desai, MD

Physician
University Hospitals, United States
SN

Samer Narouze, MD, PhD

Division Chief, Pain Management
University Hospitals, United States