[Ultrasound guided alcohol ablation of the celiac plexus in oncology patients with abdominal pain].
OBJECTIVE
The authors report results of a retrospective study evaluating the efficacy of US-guided alcohol ablation of the celiac plexus in 26 patients with chronic cancer-related abdominal pain. They review the interest of this imaging technique for guidance.


METHODS
Thirty US-guided alcohol ablations were performed in 26 patients. Twenty-two of them had a prancreatic malignancy, 3 had a gastric cancer and 1 had an esophageal cancer.


RESULTS
72% of patients experienced significant pain relief with at least 50% decrease in morphine requirements for two months. Four patients underwent a second ablation because of persistent pain and 3 of them experienced relief.


CONCLUSIONS
Celiac plexus ablation is considered to be one of the most effective treatments for chronic cancer-related abdominal pain, often used as an adjuvant treatment in the pain management strategy. US guidance is advantageous because it is simple and accurate and enables quick needle placement.
Service de Radiologie Générale, Hôpital G et R Laënnec, Boulevard J Monod, 44093 Nantes cedex 1.
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G
Mathon
A
A
d'Alincourt
E
E
Frampas
F
F
Lerat
D000368:Aged; D002447:Celiac Plexus / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D000431:Ethanol / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D005260:Female; D005770:Gastrointestinal Neoplasms / Q000150:complications*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D059408:Pain Management; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D014463:Ultrasonography
D000431:Ethanol