title: The percutaneous anterior approach to the celiac plexus using CT guidance.
abstract: This paper describes a new approach to the neurolytic block of the celiac plexus through the anterior abdominal wall using CT guidance. In 5 patients, CT guidance was used for needle placement and visualization of the spread of the injection. Once the pain has been relieved on completion of the neurolytic block, the radiologist proceeds with the biopsy. Pain relief was obtained in 80% of the cases after 2 weeks and in 60% after 6 months. No serious complications were observed. The anterior approach is simple and is useful in those patients with upper chronic abdominal pain scheduled for biopsy of the pancreas, and in those terminally ill patients who cannot tolerate the prone position.
authors.affiliation: Servicio de Anestesiologia y Reanimación, Unidad de Tratamiento del Dolor, Hospital de Badalona 'Germans Trias i Pujol,' Badalona BarcelonaSpain.
authors.forename: Antonio Montero
authors.initials: AM
authors.lastname: Matamala
authors.forename: Fernando Vidal
authors.initials: FV
authors.lastname: Lopez
authors.forename: Luis Inaraja
authors.initials: LI
authors.lastname: Martinez
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D002447:Celiac Plexus / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000187:drug effects / Q000503:physiopathology; D006801:Humans; D007482:Iothalamate Meglumine; D008297:Male; D008619:Mepivacaine; D008875:Middle Aged; D009407:Nerve Block / Q000379:methods*; D010146:Pain / Q000188:drug therapy; D011677:Punctures; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed
chemical_list: D008619:Mepivacaine; D007482:Iothalamate Meglumine