title: Celiac plexus block: a new technique using the left lateral approach.
abstract: We describe a new celiac plexus block approach in a patient with cholangiocarcinoma who was referred to the Pain Clinic due to uncontrollable abdominal pain. The patient was initially programmed for a neurolytic celiac plexus block using the anterior approach with helical computerized tomography (CT) guidance. The CT scan revealed interposition of the transverse colon in the anterior approach territory, which made the anterior approach technique difficult, and also difficulty to practice the posterior approach without injuring the kidneys. We decided to attempt a left lateral atypical approach because the CT revealed the possibility of using a left lateral window to arrive to the celiac area. The left lateral access allowed us to carry out the neurolytic block using 50% alcohol without injuring any viscera. The patient tolerated the technique and was discharged without pain. No complications regarding either the punction or the block were observed.
authors: Universitary Hospital of Bellvitge, Barcelona, Spain. xgarcia@mac.com
authors: Xavier
authors: X
authors: Garcia-Eroles
authors: Victor
authors: V
authors: Mayoral
authors: Antonio
authors: A
authors: Montero
authors: Joan
authors: J
authors: Serra
authors: Josep
authors: J
authors: Porta
mesh_terms: D015746:Abdominal Pain / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D002447:Celiac Plexus; D000431:Ethanol; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009407:Nerve Block / Q000379:methods*; D016896:Treatment Outcome
chemical_list: D000431:Ethanol