Skip to main content
Log in

EUS-Guided Celiac Plexus Neurolysis for Pain due to Chronic Pancreatitis or Pancreatic Cancer Pain: A Meta-Analysis and Systematic Review

  • Review
  • Published:
Digestive Diseases and Sciences Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

The objective of this study was to evaluate the efficacy of EUS-guided CPN for pain relief in patients with chronic pancreatitis and pancreatic cancer. An initial search identified 1,439 reference articles, of which 130 relevant articles were selected and reviewed. Data was extracted from 8 studies (N = 283) for EUS-guided CPN for pain due to pancreatic cancer and nine studies for chronic pancreatitis (N = 376) which met the inclusion criteria. With EUS-guided CPN, the pooled proportion of patients with pancreatic cancer that showed pain relief was 80.12% (95% CI = 74.47–85.22). In patients with pain due to chronic pancreatitis, EUS-guided CPN provided pain relief in 59.45% (95% CI = 54.51–64.30). In conclusion, EUS-guided CPN offers a safe alternative technique for pain relief in patients with chronic pancreatitis or pancreatic cancer. In patients with pain due to chronic pancreatitis, better techniques or injected materials are needed to improve the response.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Fig. 1
Fig. 2
Fig. 3
Fig. 4
Fig. 5

Similar content being viewed by others

Abbreviations

CP:

Chronic pancreatitis

CPN:

Celiac plexus neurolysis

EUS:

Endoscopic ultrasound

References

  1. Ammann RW, Muellhaupt B. The natural history of pain in alcoholic chronic pancreatitis. Gastroenterology. 1999;116(5):1132–1140. doi:10.1016/S0016-5085(99)70016-8.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  2. Bornman PC, Marks IN, Girdwood AW, Berberat PO, Gulbinas A, Büchler MW. Pathogenesis of pain in chronic pancreatitis: ongoing enigma. World J Surg. 2003;27(11):1175–1182. doi:10.1007/s00268-003-7235-x.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  3. Ebbehøj N, Svendsen LB, Madsen P. Pancreatic tissue pressure: techniques and pathophysiological aspects. Scand J Gastroenterol. 1984;19(8):1066–1068.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  4. Ebbehøj N, Borly L, Bülow J, Henriksen JH, Heyeraas KJ, Rasmussen SG. Evaluation of pancreatic tissue fluid pressure measurements intraoperatively and by sonographically guided fine-needle puncture. Scand J Gastroenterol. 1990;25(11):1097–1102. doi:10.3109/00365529008998540.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  5. Keith RG, Keshavjee SH, Kerenyi NR. Neuropathology of chronic pancreatitis in humans. Can J Surg. 1985;28(3):207–211.

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  6. Bockman DE, Buchler M, Malfertheiner P, Beger HG. Analysis of nerves in chronic pancreatitis. Gastroenterology. 1988;94(6):1459–1469.

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  7. Pace MC, Mazzariello L, Passavanti MB, Sansone P, Barbarisi M, Aurilio C. Neurobiology of pain. J Cell Physiol. 2006;209(1):8–12. doi:10.1002/jcp.20693.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  8. Warshaw AL, Banks PA, Fernández-Del Castillo C. AGA technical review: treatment of pain in chronic pancreatitis. Gastroenterology. 1998;115(3):765–776. doi:10.1016/S0016-5085(98)70157-X.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  9. Andrén-Sandberg A, Hoem D, Gislason H. Pain management in chronic pancreatitis. Eur J Gastroenterol Hepatol. 2002;14(9):957–970. doi:10.1097/00042737-200209000-00006.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  10. Wilder-Smith CH, Hill L, Osler W, O’Keefe S. Effect of tramadol and morphine on pain and gastrointestinal motor function in patients with chronic pancreatitis. Dig Dis Sci. 1999;44(6):1107–1116. doi:10.1023/A:1026607703352.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  11. Halgreen H, Pedersen NT, Worning H. Symptomatic effect of pancreatic enzyme therapy in patients with chronic pancreatitis. Scand J Gastroenterol. 1986;21(1):104–108. doi:10.3109/00365528609034631.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  12. Malesci A, Gaia E, Fioretta A, et al. No effect of long-term treatment with pancreatic extract on recurrent abdominal pain in patients with chronic pancreatitis. Scand J Gastroenterol. 1995;30(4):392–398. doi:10.3109/00365529509093296.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  13. Uden S, Bilton D, Nathan L, Hunt LP, Main C, Braganza JM. Antioxidant therapy for recurrent pancreatitis: placebo-controlled trial. Aliment Pharmacol Ther. 1990;4(4):357–371.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  14. Rösch T, Daniel S, Scholz M, et al. European Society of Gastrointestinal Endoscopy Research Group. Endoscopic treatment of chronic pancreatitis: a multicenter study of 1000 patients with long-term follow-up. Endoscopy. 2002;34(10):765–771. doi:10.1055/s-2002-34256.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  15. Wilcox CM, Varadarajulu S. Endoscopic therapy for chronic pancreatitis: an evidence-based review. Curr Gastroenterol Rep. 2006;8(2):104–110. doi:10.1007/s11894-006-0005-9.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  16. Tham TC, Lichtenstein DR, Vandervoort J, et al. Pancreatic duct stents for “obstructive type” pain in pancreatic malignancy. Am J Gastroenterol. 2000;95(4):956–960.

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  17. Guda NM, Partington S, Freeman ML. Extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy in the management of chronic calcific pancreatitis: a meta-analysis. JOP. 2005;6(1):6–12.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  18. Ohara H, Hoshino M, Hayakawa T, et al. Single application extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy is the first choice for patients with pancreatic duct stones. Am J Gastroenterol. 1996;91(7):1388–1394.

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  19. Dumonceau JM, Costamagna G, Tringali A, et al. Treatment for painful calcified chronic pancreatitis: extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy versus endoscopic treatment: a randomised controlled trial. Gut. 2007;56(4):545–552. doi:10.1136/gut.2006.096883.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  20. Puestow CB, Gillesby WJ. Retrograde surgical drainage of pancreas for chronic relapsing pancreatitis. AMA Arch Surg. 1958;76(6):898–907.

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  21. Partington PF, Rochelle RE. Modified Puestow procedure for retrograde drainage of the pancreatic duct. Ann Surg. 1960;152:1037–1043.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  22. Beger HG, Krautzberger W, Bittner R, Büchler M, Limmer J. Duodenum-preserving resection of the head of the pancreas in patients with severe chronic pancreatitis. Surgery. 1985;97(4):467–473.

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  23. Frey CF, Smith GJ. Description and rationale of a new operation for chronic pancreatitis. Pancreas. 1987;2(6):701–707. doi:10.1097/00006676-198711000-00014.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  24. Büchler MW, Friess H, Müller MW, Wheatley AM, Beger HG. Randomized trial of duodenum-preserving pancreatic head resection versus pylorus-preserving Whipple in chronic pancreatitis. Am J Surg. 1995;169(1):65–69. doi:10.1016/S0002-9610(99)80111-1.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  25. Izbicki JR, Bloechle C, Broering DC, Knoefel WT, Kuechler T, Broelsch CE. Extended drainage versus resection in surgery for chronic pancreatitis: a prospective randomized trial comparing the longitudinal pancreaticojejunostomy combined with local pancreatic head excision with the pylorus-preserving pancreatoduodenectomy. Ann Surg. 1998;228(6):771–779. doi:10.1097/00000658-199812000-00008.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  26. Bradley EL 3rd, Bem J. Nerve blocks and neuroablative surgery for chronic pancreatitis. World J Surg. 2003;27(11):1241–1248. doi:10.1007/s00268-003-7244-9.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  27. Lillemoe KD, Cameron JL, Kaufman HS, Yeo CJ, Pitt HA, Sauter PK. Chemical splanchnicectomy in patients with unresectable pancreatic cancer. A prospective randomized trial. Ann Surg. 1993;217(5):447–455. doi:10.1097/00000658-199305010-00004.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  28. Wong GY, Schroeder DR, Carns PE, et al. Effect of neurolytic celiac plexus block on pain relief, quality of life, and survival in patients with unresectable pancreatic cancer: a randomized controlled trial. JAMA. 2004;291(9):1092–1099. doi:10.1001/jama.291.9.1092.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  29. Moher D, Cook DJ, Eastwood S, et al. Improving the quality of reports of meta-analyses of randomised controlled trials: the QUOROM statement. Lancet. 1999;354:1896–1900. doi:10.1016/S0140-6736(99)04149-5.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  30. Stroup DF, Berlin JA, Morton SC, et al. Meta-analysis of observational studies in epidemiology. A proposal for reporting. JAMA. 2002;283:2008–2012. doi:10.1001/jama.283.15.2008.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  31. Brennan P, Silman A. Statistical methods for assessing observer variability in clinical measures. BMJ. 1992;304:1491–1494.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  32. Jadad AR, Moore RA, Carroll D, et al. Assessing the quality of reports of randomized clinical trials: is blinding necessary? Control Clin Trials. 1996;17:1–12. doi:10.1016/0197-2456(95)00134-4.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  33. Stroup DF, Berlin JA, Morton SC, et al. Meta-analysis of observational studies in epidemiology: a proposal for reporting. Meta-analysis of observational studies in epidemiology (MOOSE) group. JAMA. 2000;283(15):2008–2012. doi:10.1001/jama.283.15.2008.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  34. Stuart A, Ord JK. Kendall’s Advanced Theory of Statistics. 6th ed. London: Edward Arnold; 1994.

    Google Scholar 

  35. DerSimonian R, Laird N. Meta-analysis in clinical trials. Control Clin Trials. 1986;7:177–188. doi:10.1016/0197-2456(86)90046-2.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  36. Deeks JJ. Systematic reviews of evaluations of diagnostic and screening tests. In: Egger M, Smith GD, Altman DG, eds. Systematic Reviews in Health Care. Meta-Analysis in Context. London: BMJ Books; 2001.

    Google Scholar 

  37. Harbord RM, Egger M, Sterne JAC. A modified test for small-study effects in meta-analyses of controlled trials with binary endpoints. Stat Med. 2005;25(20):3443–3457. doi:10.1002/sim.2380.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  38. Begg CB, Mazumdar M. Operating characteristics of a rank correlation test for publication bias. Biometrics. 1994;50:1088–1101. doi:10.2307/2533446.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  39. Sterne JAC, Egger M, Davey-Smith G. Investigating and dealing with publication and other biases in meta-analysis. BMJ. 2001;323:101–105. doi:10.1136/bmj.323.7304.101.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  40. Sterne JAC, Egger M. Funnel plots for detecting bias in meta-analysis: guidelines on choice of axis. J Clin Epidemiol. 2001;54:1046–1055. doi:10.1016/S0895-4356(01)00377-8.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  41. Wiersema MJ, Wiersema LM. Endosonography-guided celiac plexus neurolysis. Gastrointest Endosc. 1996;44(6):656–662. doi:10.1016/S0016-5107(96)70047-0.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  42. Tran QN, Urayama S, Meyers FJ. Endoscopic ultrasound-guided celiac plexus neurolysis for pancreatic cancer pain: a single-institution experience and review of the literature. J Support Oncol. 2006;4(9):460–462.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  43. Usatii M, Paquin SC, Dagenais M, et al. Preliminary results of a randomized, double blind, controlled trial of early EUS-guided celiac plexus neurolysis (EUS-Cpn) versus conventional management for pain in patients with inoperable pancreatic cancer. Gastrointest Endosc. 2008;67(5):M1438. doi:10.1016/j.gie.2008.03.1025.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  44. Gunaratnam NT, Sarma AV, Norton ID, Wiersema MJ. A prospective study of EUS-guided celiac plexus neurolysis for pancreatic cancer pain. Gastrointest Endosc. 2001;54(3):316–324. doi:10.1067/mge.2001.117515.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  45. Levy MJ, Topazian MD, Wiersema MJ, et al. Initial evaluation of the efficacy and safety of endoscopic ultrasound-guided direct ganglia neurolysis and block. Am J Gastroenterol. 2008;103(1):98–103.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  46. LeBlanc JK, Dewitt J, McHenry L, Sherman S, Imperiale T, Collins E. A prospective evaluation of EUS-guided celiac plexus block in patients with chronic pancreatitis and pancreas cancer. Gastrointest Endosc. 2004;59(5):236. doi:10.1016/S0016-5107(04)01063-6.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  47. Catalano MF, Ahmed U, Chauhan SS, Patel SN, Geenen JE. Celiac plexus neurolysis (CPN) in the treatment of refractory pain of pancreatic cancer (PCA): site specific response to therapy. Gastrointest Endosc. 2005;61(5):AB273. doi:10.1016/S0016-5107(05)01417-3.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  48. O’Toole TM, Shire NJ, Chauhan SS, Schmulewitz N. Predictors of response to EUS-guided celiac plexus blockade for abdominal pain in patients with chronic pancreatitis. Gastrointest Endosc. 2007;65(5):AB209. doi:10.1016/j.gie.2007.03.422.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  49. LeBlanc J, De Witt J, Calley C, et al. A prospective randomized trial of 1 versus 2 injections during a single EUS-guided celiac plexus block (CPB) procedure for chronic pancreatitis pain: final results. Gastrointest Endosc. 2008;67(5):M1488. doi:10.1016/j.gie.2008.03.560.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  50. Lemelin V, Lam E, Sahai A. A prospective trial of central versus bilateral celiac plexus bloc/neurolysis in 160 patients: bilateral injection is safe and is more effective. Gastrointest Endosc. 2005;61(5):AB77. doi:10.1016/S0016-5107(05)00591-2.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  51. Gress F, Schmitt C, Sherman S, Ikenberry S, Lehman G. A prospective randomized comparison of endoscopic ultrasound- and computed tomography-guided celiac plexus block for managing chronic pancreatitis pain. Am J Gastroenterol. 1999;94(4):900–905. doi:10.1111/j.1572-0241.1999.01042.x.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  52. Gress F, Schmitt C, Sherman S, Ciaccia D, Ikenberry S, Lehman G. Endoscopic ultrasound-guided celiac plexus block for managing abdominal pain associated with chronic pancreatitis: a prospective single center experience. Am J Gastroenterol. 2001;96(2):409–416. doi:10.1111/j.1572-0241.2001.03551.x.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  53. Mahajan RJ, Nowell W, Hira K, Oaks K, Adams LJ. Patients’ perspective on endoscopic ultrasound (EUS) guided celiac plexus pain block (CPB) in treatment of unremitting pain of chronic pancreatitis (CP). Am J Gastroenterol. 2002;97(9-suppl 1):S59–S60.

    Google Scholar 

  54. Gress F, Ciaccia D, Sherman S, Lehman G. Multi-center evaluation of endoscopic ultrasound (EUS)-guided celiac plexus neurolysis (CPN) for treating abdominal pain associated with chronic pancreatitis (CP). Gastroenterology. 1998;114(15-suppl 1):A463.

    Google Scholar 

  55. Eisenberg E, Carr DB, Chalmers TC. Neurolytic celiac plexus block for treatment of cancer pain: a meta-analysis. Anesth Analg. 1995;80:290–295. doi:10.1097/00000539-199502000-00015.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

Authors

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Srinivas R. Puli.

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Puli, S.R., Reddy, J.B.K., Bechtold, M.L. et al. EUS-Guided Celiac Plexus Neurolysis for Pain due to Chronic Pancreatitis or Pancreatic Cancer Pain: A Meta-Analysis and Systematic Review. Dig Dis Sci 54, 2330–2337 (2009). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10620-008-0651-x

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Accepted:

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10620-008-0651-x

Keywords

Navigation