Celius Plexus Block

Dealing with a cancer diagnosis is hard enough. You shouldn’t also have to suffer with the pain associated with cancer. A celiac plexus block is a procedure that damages the celiac plexus so that pain sensations aren’t being sent to and registered by the brain. A celiac plexus block is helpful for treating the pain associated with abdominal cancers, and most commonly pancreatic cancer. The Nevada Advanced Pain Specialists in the Reno, Sparks and Carson City areas understand how crucial it is to combat pain associated with abdominal cancer and are experts at helping patients find much needed relief with a celiac plexus block. 

What is a Celiac Plexus Block?

A celiac plexus block is a type of nerve block that is achieved through an injection of medication, most often an anesthetic and/or a steroid. The injection damages the celiac plexus, which is a bundle of nerves in the upper abdomen or stomach area. These nerves are located behind the pancreas and near the aorta, which is the body’s largest blood vessel. 

The reason why the celiac plexus is targeted for treatment of abdominal pain is that the celiac nerves connect the pancreas, gallbladder, intestines, liver and stomach to the brain and spinal cord. When a person has pancreatitis or pancreatic cancer, these growths and areas of inflammation can press on the nerves and surrounding organs, which causes pain. By damaging the celiac plexus nerves, it prevents pain signals from being sent to the brain, thus decreasing pain. 

A celiac plexus block is helpful for alleviating upper abdominal area pain, stomach pain and back pain that is most often related to pancreatic cancer and pancreatitis. 

Why is a Celiac Plexus Block Used?

The main reason why a person who has pancreatitis or pancreatic cancer might opt for a celiac plexus block is to alleviate their severe pain symptoms. Another main benefit is that it decreases or completely removes the need for a person to take opioid medication to alleviate pain symptoms. 

Even if patients take strong pain medications, there is a great chance that they might still experience periods of intense pain, as well as having to deal with the side effects of the medication itself. Of course, there is also the possibility that the medication might not work. 

The most common side effects with opioid-based pain medication include:

• Addictions
• Nausea
• Constipation
• Fatigue
• Dizziness

A celiac plexus block helps a person to avoid these periods of breakthrough pain, lessen their need and possibly dependency for opioids, as well as more comfortably allow them to focus on their cancer treatments. 

What Does a Celiac Plexus Block Involve?

The majority of patients can receive a celiac plexus block as an outpatient procedure, meaning they are able to return home the same day. The patient will lie in their stomach (or back if the stomach is too painful), and will receive a sedative to relax. The injection itself can be performed one of three ways: 

• Surgically
• Via injection
• During an endoscopic ultrasound (EUS)

The provider will sterilize the injection site before numbing the area with a local anesthetic. Using X-ray guidance, the provider will then insert the needle through the back into the celiac plexus, and will confirm the correct location by injecting a contrast dye. Once the location is confirmed, a different needle is inserted that delivers the anesthetic and/or steroid to numb the nerves. If the provider has recommended a neurolytic procedure, then an alcohol will also be delivered to damage the nerves, which is common for patients who have pancreatic cancer. 

The entire procedure can take anywhere from 30 to 60 minutes. Most patients experience pain relief as quickly as 15 to 30 minutes after the injection. Pain relief varies from person to person, but most patients can expect to have sustained pain relief for three to six months. If needed, the procedure can be performed again. Patients who received a neurolytic procedure most likely won’t need another treatment as this option greatly damages the nerves. 

What are the Benefits and Risks of a Celiac Plexus Block?

The main benefit of a celiac plexus block is that it provides patients who have been diagnosed with pancreatic cancer or pancreatitis and who suffer from intense abdominal pain with much needed relief. Almost every person who has been diagnosed with pancreatic cancer will experience abdominal pain. 

In addition to pain relief, a celiac plexus block allows patients to avoid taking opioid-based medications or to reduce their need for these drugs. A celiac plexus block offers a more long-term and successful result with less periods of breakthrough pain. The block also doesn’t have any of the negative side effects that accompany opioid drugs. 

The risks of celiac plexus blocks are low, but there is still the possibility of experiencing side effects. The most common risks involved with the block itself include bruising, swelling, soreness or infection at the treatment site. A patient could also experience diarrhea, low blood pressure, allergic reaction to the dye, and muscle spasms. 

Additional complications can include: 

• Decreased blood flow to the spinal cord
• Kidney damage
• Nerve damage
• Seizures
• Delayed emptying of stomach contents
• Spinal cord issues (decreased blood flow or possible paralysis)

It’s important to review your health and medical history with your provider before beginning any treatment so that together you can determine if a celiac plexus block is the best course of action for you and your pain condition.

It has proven helpful for the majority of patients who are suffering with abdominal pain, and could be the best option to help you get out of pain.  

If you have been diagnosed with pancreatic cancer or pancreatitis and are tired of suffering with extreme abdominal pain, and especially don’t want to depend on opioid-based medication for relief, the Nevada Advanced Pain Specialists in the Reno, Sparks and Carson City areas can help. We know just how difficult a cancer diagnosis can be, and understand the importance of living each day as comfortably as possible so you can focus on your cancer or pancreatitis treatment. Please schedule an appointment today so that we can work together to improve your quality of life.