Computed Tomography (CT) Simulated Fluoroscopy-Guided Transdiscal Approach in Transcrural Celiac Plexus Block

Splanchnic nerve neurolysis via the transdiscal approach under fluoroscopic guidance: a retrospective study

Background

Neurolytic celiac plexus block (NCPB) is a typical treatment for severe epigastric cancer pain, but the therapeutic effect is often affected by the variation of local anatomical structures induced by the tumor. Greater and lesser splanchnic nerve neurolysis (SNN) had similar effects to the NCPB, and was recently performed with a paravertebral approach under the image guidance, or with the transdiscal approach under the guidance of computed tomography. This study observed the feasibility and safety of SNN via a transdiscal approach under fluoroscopic guidance.

Methods

The follow-up records of 34 patients with epigastric cancer pain who underwent the splanchnic nerve block via the T11-12 transdiscal approach under fluoroscopic guidance were investigated retrospectively. The numerical rating scale (NRS), the patient satisfaction scale (PSS) and quality of life (QOL) of the patient, the dose of morphine consumed, and the occurrence and severity of adverse events were recorded preoperatively and 1 day, 1 week, 1 month, and 2 months after surgery.

Results

Compared with the preoperative scores, the NRS scores and daily morphine consumption decreased and the QOL and PSS scores increased at each postoperative time point (P < 0.001). No patients experienced serious complications.

Conclusions

SNN via the transdiscal approach under flouroscopic guidance was an effective, safe, and easy operation for epigastric cancer pain, with fewer complications.

Factors associated with successful response to neurolytic celiac plexus block in patients with upper abdominal cancer-related pain: a retrospective study

Background

Prior studies have reported that 40%-90% of the patients with celiac plexus-mediated visceral pain benefit from the neurolytic celiac plexus block (NCPB), but the predictive factors of response to NCPB have not been evaluated extensively. This study aimed to identify the factors associated with the immediate analgesic effectiveness of NCPB in patients with intractable upper abdominal cancer-related pain.

Methods

A retrospective review was performed of 513 patients who underwent NCPB for upper abdominal cancer-related pain. Response to the procedure was defined as (1) a decrease of ≥ 50% or ≥ 4 points on the numerical rating scale (NRS) in pain intensity from the baseline without an increase in opioid requirement, or (2) a decrease of ≥ 30% or ≥ 2 points on the NRS from the baseline with simultaneously reduced opioid consumption after NCPB. Logistic regression analysis was performed to determine the factors associated with successful responses to NCPB.

Results

Among the 513 patients included in the analysis, 255 (49.8%) and 258 (50.2%) patients were in the non-responder and responder group after NCPB, respectively. Multivariable logistic regression analysis showed that diabetes (odds ratio [OR] = 0.644, P = 0.035), history of upper abdominal surgery (OR = 0.691, P = 0.040), and celiac metastasis (OR = 1.496, P = 0.039) were the independent factors associated with response to NCPB.

Conclusions

Celiac plexus metastases, absence of diabetes, and absence of prior upper abdominal surgery may be independently associated with better response to NCPB for upper abdominal cancer-related pain.

A comparative study of transdiscal versus transaortic celiac plexus neurolytic block for upper gastrointestinal cancer patients. A prospective, randomized control study

Aim: To compare transdiscal and transaortic techniques of neurolytic celiac plexus block for upper gastrointestinal cancer patients. Methods: In this prospective randomized study 60 patients with upper gastrointestinal malignancies were included and randomly divided into two groups, group TD and group TA, receiving neurolytic celiac plexus blocks via transdiscal and transaortic techniques, respectively. The primary outcome was quality of life (QoL) as assessed by WHOQOL BREF questionnaire and secondary outcomes were pain relief using visual analogue scale (VAS), and occurrence of complications like hypotension, loose motion, bleeding and discitis. Result: QoL and VAS score were significantly improved in both groups post procedure. Transdiscal approach is more effective in improving VAS score than transaortic approach (1 vs 3) after 1 week and the relief of pain was better in TD group (3 vs 6) at the end of 2 months. Transdiscal approach was found to be more effective in improving QoL (227.00±28.85 vs 191.17±35.78) as compared to transaortic approach. However, post-procedural QoL improved in both groups when compared to pre-procedural QoL (p<0.05). Hypotension, diarrhea and bleeding from aorta were higher in TA group; however, no serious complications were seen in any of the groups. Conclusion: Transdiscal technique is better in terms of adequate pain relief and improving QoL as compared to transaortic technique of NCPB in patients of upper GI malignancies and is associated with lesser incidences of complications.

EUS-Guided Versus Percutaneous Celiac Neurolysis for the Management of Intractable Pain Due to Unresectable Pancreatic Cancer: A Randomized Clinical Trial

Although endoscopic ultrasound-guided celiac neurolysis (EUS-CN) and percutaneous celiac neurolysis (PCN) are utilized to manage intractable pain in pancreatic cancer patients, no direct comparison has been made between the two methods. We compared the efficacy and safety of EUS-CN and PCN in managing intractable pain in such patients. Sixty pancreatic cancer patients with intractable pain were randomly assigned to EUS-CN (n = 30) or PCN (n = 30). The primary outcomes were pain reduction in numerical rating scale (NRS) and opioid requirement reduction. Secondary outcomes were: successful pain response (NRS decrease ≥50% or ≥3-point reduction from baseline); quality of life; patient satisfaction; adverse events; and survival rate at 3 months postintervention. Both groups reported sustained decreases in pain scores up to 3 months postintervention (mean reductions in abdominal pain: 0.9 (95% confidence interval (CI): -0.8 to 4.2) and 1.7 (95% CI: -0.3 to 2.1); back pain: 1.3 (95% CI: -0.9 to 3.4) and 2.5 (95% CI: -0.2 to 5.2) in EUS-CN, and PCN groups, respectively). The differences in mean pain scores between the two groups at baseline and 3 months were -0.5 (p = 0.46) and -1.4 (p = 0.11) for abdominal pain and 0.1 (p = 0.85) and -0.9 (p = 0.31) for back pain in favor of PCN. No significant differences were noted in opioid requirement reduction and other outcomes. EUS-CN and PCN were similarly effective and safe in managing intractable pain in pancreatic cancer patients. Either methods may be used depending on the resources and expertise of each institution.

Celiac Plexus Neurolysis for the Treatment of Patients with Terminal Cancer at a Tertiary University Hospital in Korea

Purpose

The aim of this study was to investigate celiac plexus neurolysis (CPN) for the treatment of cancerous upper abdominal pain in a tertiary university hospital in Korea.

Methods

At the tertiary university hospital in Korea, electronic medical records of cancer patients who underwent CPN and died in the hospital from November 2009 to June 2018 were retrospectively analyzed.

Results

The total number of subjects was 51. The 17 patients were from the Department of Gastroenterology (33.0%), followed by 11 patients from the Department of Hemato-oncology (21.6%), 11 patients from the Department of Anesthesia and Pain Medicine (21.6%), 9 patients from the Department of General Surgery (17.6%). The diagnosis was pancreatic cancer in 15 patients (29.4%), stomach cancer in 8 patients (15.7%), hepatobiliary cancer in 20 patients (39.2%), colon cancer in 1 patient (2.0%), esophageal cancer in 2 patient (3.9%) and intra-abdominal metastasis in 5 patients (9.8%). The mean survival time after the surgery was 66.4±55.0 days. The pain intensity before and 1 week after the procedure significantly decreased, but the amounts of opioids consumed before and 1 week after the procedure were not statistically significant. Side effects occurred after the procedure including temporary localized pain in 24 patients (47.0%), hypotension in 12 (23.5%), and diarrhea in 6 (11.8%).

Conclusion

CPN is an effective and safe procedure for reducing upper abdominal pain caused by cancer, and it is necessary to perform CPN within the appropriate time by establishing a system of interdepartmental cooperation.

Pulse Transit Time as a Predictor of the Efficacy of a Celiac Plexus Block in Patients With Chronic Intractable Abdominal Pain

OBJECTIVE

There is no well-defined predictor of satisfactory pain relief after celiac plexus block (CPB) at the early stage of treatment. This study evaluated whether measurement of the electrocardiographic R-wave and the arrival time of the pulses at the toe pulse transit time (E-T PTT) can be an early predictor of pain response and success of CPB in patients with chronic intractable visceral pain.

METHODS

Twelve patients aged between 20 and 80 years who underwent CPB for treatment of chronic intractable cancer-related abdominal pain were included. A successful CPB was determined as a >50% decrease on the numerical rating scale measured 24 hours after the procedure. The E-T PTT at baseline and at 5, 10, 20, and 30 minutes after the injection of local anesthetic was measured as the time between the R-wave on the electrocardiogram and the peak point of the corresponding plethysmogram wave from the ipsilateral great toe. The change in the E-T PTT that was predictive of a successful CPB was analyzed using receiver operating characteristic curve analysis.

RESULTS

A CPB was successful in 9 of 12 cases; the dE-T PTT5/E-T PTT0 of the success group was 6.84%±5.04% versus 0.72%±0.78% in the failure group (P=0.021). The mean E-T PTTx differed significantly between timepoints (F=9.313, P=0.014) and between the success and failure groups (P<0.01). The best value of dE-T PTT5/E-T PTT0 indicating a successful CPB, estimated by receiver operating characteristic curve analysis, was 2.30% (sensitivity 88.9%, specificity 100%). The area under the curve was 96% (95% confidence interval, 85.7%-100%).

CONCLUSIONS

Prolongation of E-T PTT at 5 minutes after CPB correlates closely with a significant analgesic effect.