Celiac Plexus Block

Abdominal pain is not only a difficult pain to treat, it is also incredibly debilitating to a person’s quality of life. On top of that, pain in the abdomen is most often caused by an underlying medical condition that the patient is already trying to treat. If you are experiencing abdominal pain and can’t stomach another minute of pain, the California Pain Consultants team in the Escondido, El Centro, La Mesa, San Diego, Chula Vista areas can provide you with relief in the form of a Celiac Plexus Block. 

What is a Celiac Plexus Block?

A celiac plexus block is a nerve block in the celiac plexus with a goal to provide relief from severe abdominal pain in the upper stomach area. Part of the nervous system, the celiac plexus is a bundle of nerves located in the upper abdomen and sits behind the pancreas near the celiac artery and the abdominal aorta, which is the body’s largest blood vessel. The celiac plexus nerves send signals to the spinal cord and brain from the digestive organs, which include the pancreas, gallbladder, intestines, stomach, liver, spleen and kidneys. 

Abdominal pain is generally caused from cancerous tumors in any of these organs, but can also be caused from pancreatic cancer. What happens is that any growth or organ inflammation puts pressure on the celiac plexus, causing pain signals to be sent to the brain. A celiac plexus block stops these pain signals from being felt by using a pain medication and another medication that destroys the nerves. 

Am I a Candidate for a Celiac Plexus Block?

Patients who are experiencing severe abdominal pain and have yet to find relief for other methods might benefit from a celiac plexus block. This treatment method is especially helpful for patients who have been diagnosed with chronic pancreatitis, liver tumors and metastatic cancer in the abdomen because it allows these patients to receive their medical treatment but without debilitating pain. 

Most patients who have been diagnosed with pancreatic cancer or pancreatitis also experience extreme abdominal pain at the same time. Providers can provide pain medicines to manage the pain, but it does not completely rid the feelings of pain. Additionally, some patients might not want to rely on medication, especially on top of the treatment they’re receiving for their medical diagnosis. Celiac plexus blocks can help these patients experience more complete and longer-lasting abdominal pain relief with either the use of no pain medications or a reduction of pain medications. 

Cancer pain can be difficult to effectively treat, as pain relief can be unresponsive to many treatment options. However, a celiac plexus block has proven successful for providing patients with relief as well as improving their quality of life. It is also a low risk, non-surgical treatment option that can provide pain relief from weeks up to years, with the ability to repeat the injections when needed. 

What Happens During a Celiac Plexus Block Procedure?

A celiac plexus block procedure is performed in an outpatient setting, usually in your pain management specialist’s office, and patients are able to return home the same day. 

The patient will lie flat on their belly, or if that’s too uncomfortable, they could possibly lie on their back. The provider will apply a local anesthetic to numb the skin, and some patients might opt for intravenous sedation if they are anxious about the injection. The provider will then use imaging scans from fluoroscopy X-rays, a CT scan or endoscopic ultrasound to guide a thin needle next to the spine. Once this first needle is in the correct position, a second needle is inserted into the opposite side of the vertebrae, where a contrast dye is injected, which confirms the location is correct. The provider will then inject an anesthetic to treat the pain, and could also possibly administer alcohol or phenol into the celiac plexus, which damages the nerves and provides more long-term relief. 

The entire procedure takes less than 30 minutes. Most patients report an instant and extreme amount of pain relief. 

Patients are instructed to rest for the remainder of the day. They might experience a feeling of warmth in the abdomen, which is due to the medication spreading around the celiac plexus. Some patients could feel weakness or numbness in the stomach area, or possibly numbness in the legs, but this will stop once the anesthetic wears off. 

Are There Risks with Celiac Plexus Blocks?

Even though a celiac plexus block is a minimally-invasive, non-surgical procedure, there are some risks involved as it is still a medical treatment. Most risks are associated with proper needle placement, which is why it’s important to place your trust in an experienced pain management specialist who is adept at using the most up-to-date and state-of-the-art imaging guidance techniques. 

Risks, while rare, can include: 

• Bleeding
• Infection
• Paralysis due to injury of the spinal cord
• Nerve damage
• Punctured lung, surrounding organs or nearby vessels
• Drug allergy
• Delayed emptying of stomach contents (gastroparesis)
• Decreased blood flow to the spinal cord

With a successful procedure, the most common side effects include bruising and soreness at the injection site, diarrhea, low blood pressure, muscle spasms and infection at the treatment site. For patients who are tired of experiencing chronic abdominal pain, and who have become unable to enjoy even the simplest of daily tasks, celiac plexus blocks can provide the much needed relief the patient is looking for. It also helps to make the patient’s cancer or medical treatment more bearable because they don’t also have to suffer with excruciating abdominal pain. 

If you are suffering from severe abdominal and upper stomach area pain and feel you might benefit from a celiac plexus block, please reach out to the California Pain Consultants team in the Escondido, El Centro, La Mesa, San Diego, Chula Vista areas and schedule an appointment today. We are dedicated to helping our patients manage their chronic abdominal pain with a goal to help them get out of pain and improve their quality of life.