What is a celiac plexus block?
A celiac plexus block is a pain relief treatment delivered by injection. The treatment prevents celiac plexus nerves from sending pain messages to the brain. It’s a type of nerve block.
Healthcare providers use celiac plexus blocks to treat people who have pancreatic cancer or chronic pancreatitis. These conditions can cause severe abdominal pain.
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What is the celiac plexus?
The celiac plexus is part of the nervous system. This bundle of nerves in the upper abdomen sits behind the pancreas close to the aorta, the body’s largest blood vessel.
Celiac plexus nerves send signals to the brain and spinal cord from digestive system organs, including the:
What does a celiac plexus block treat?
Healthcare providers use a celiac plexus block to ease severe abdominal pain caused by pancreatic cancer. Cancerous tumors can put pressure on the celiac plexus, causing pain.
People with chronic pancreatitis may also need a celiac plexus block to alleviate severe upper abdominal pain or back pain. Inflammation (swelling) of the pancreas causes pancreatitis.
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What’s the difference between a celiac plexus block and a neurolytic celiac plexus block (neurolysis)?
With a celiac plexus block, a healthcare provider injects steroids or an anesthetic into the nerves. The medication provides temporary pain relief. When pain returns, you may need more treatments. Your provider may recommend this treatment if you have pancreatitis.
A neurolytic celiac plexus block, or neurolysis, permanently damages the celiac plexus nerves. Your provider injects an alcohol substance, such as ethanol or phenol, into the celiac plexus. The alcohol destroys the nerves, making them unable to send pain signals to the brain or spinal cord. Your provider may recommend this treatment if you have pancreatic cancer.
