Role of computed tomography-guided percutaneous celiac plexus neurolysis in relieving pain caused by abdominal malignancy

Abstract

Objective This study aims to assess the efficacy of computed tomography (CT)-guided celiac plexus neurolysis (CPN) to relieve pain caused by abdominal malignancy. Background The management of severe pain in patients with cancer is a challenging matter faced by medical care providers. CPN is an effective method that can alleviate pain caused by abdominal malignancies. It leads to marked decrease in the analgesics daily dose or even not needing it. Patient and methods CT-guided CPN was done for 20 (90%) adult patients experiencing abdominal cancer pain using ethanol as a neurolytic agent. To assess the degree of pain relief, the visual analog scale score was used to assess pain immediately, 1 week, 1 month, and 3 months after CPN. Results Marked decrease of the pain intensity in all the patients was noted. The visual analog scale score at baseline was 9.1 ± 0.85. One day after CPN, pain severity decreased to 1.3 ± 0.71; 1 week later, it was mostly maintained at the same level at 1.7 ± 0.89; 1 month after CPN, the pain severity was also maintained at the same level at 1.9 ± 0.79; and 3 months after CPN, pain severity still decreased significantly to 2.3 ± 1.02. The decline in pain severity at its average before and at different sequences after CPN recorded high significant statistical difference (P value less than 0.001). Conclusion CT-guided CPN is an effective and safe method for relieving severe pain owing to abdominal cancer.