Ischia Stefano, Luzzani Aldo, Ischia Alberto, Faggion Sergio
Institute of Anesthesiology and Resuscitation, University of Verona, Centro Ospedaliero Clinicizzato di Borgo Roma, 37100 VeronaItaly.
Pain. 1983 Aug;16(4):333-341. doi: 10.1016/0304-3959(83)90148-3.
The present study critically examines the coeliac plexus block techniques hitherto adopted, pointing out the complications involved and stressing the seriousness of the neurological complications due to spread of the neurolytic agent to the sympathetic chain and the lumbar plexus. Contrast enhanced CT scans demonstrate the difficulties involved in confining the neurolytic agent to the anterior, peri-aortic and precrural regions. The authors report their recent experience with coeliac plexus block by means of a single transaortic needle in 28 patients. In 12 of the patients, the CT scan revealed a spread was anterior to the medial crura of the diaphragm, sometimes extending laterally towards the costovertebral gutter along the ventral surface of the diaphragm.
