title: MRI-guided celiac plexus block.
abstract: Celiac plexus block is used as a palliative procedure in cases of severe upper abdominal pain caused by pancreatitis or tumors of the pancreas. It can be guided by bony landmarks, fluoroscopy, ultrasound (US), or computed tomography (CT). To avoid severe complications, methods visualizing soft tissue, like CT and magnetic resonance (MR) imaging, are preferable. We describe celiac plexus blocks carried out in an open MR scanner, offering needle guidance with an optical tracking system and near real-time image acquisition. Eight patients with severe chronic abdominal pain were included. In these, 14 celiac blocks were carried out. Good or total pain relief was achieved in 8 of the 14 blocks (57%), a moderate effect in 5 blocks (36%), and no effect in 1 block (7%). The placement of the needle was easily guided with MR in all cases. The MR technique ensures good visualization of soft tissue, direct monitoring of needle movement and avoids exposure to ionizing radiation. Celiac plexus block can safely be carried out in an open MR scanner.
authors.affiliation: The Interventional Center, Rikshospitalet, N-0027 Oslo, Norway. p.k.hol@klinmed.uio.no
authors.forename: P K
authors.initials: PK
authors.lastname: Hol
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Kvarstein
authors.forename: O
authors.initials: O
authors.lastname: Viken
authors.forename: O
authors.initials: O
authors.lastname: Smedby
authors.forename: T I
authors.initials: TI
authors.lastname: Tønnessen
mesh_terms: D015746:Abdominal Pain / Q000209:etiology / Q000628:therapy; D001340:Autonomic Nerve Block; D002045:Bupivacaine; D002447:Celiac Plexus; D002908:Chronic Disease; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging; D008297:Male; D008775:Methylprednisolone; D008875:Middle Aged; D010166:Palliative Care; D010190:Pancreatic Neoplasms / Q000150:complications; D010195:Pancreatitis / Q000150:complications
chemical_list: D008775:Methylprednisolone; D002045:Bupivacaine