Computed Tomography Guided Transdiscal Retrocrural Splanchnic Nerve Block for Cancer Pain Treatment – Case Report

Two cases of percutaneous transdiscal splanchnic nerve block for cancer pain treatment presented.
Case1.50 years old man with pancreatic head and trunk cancer T4N1M0. Patients condition:
intractable pain in upper abdomen during last two weeks, dysphagia, weight loss. Cholecysto-entero,
gastro-entero and entero-entero anastomoses performed under epidural+general anesthesia. During
7 postoperative days pain relieved by continuous epidural anesthesia (0.2% ropivacain 5 ml/hour). On
postoperative day 8 epidural catheter removed due to dislodgement. Morphine sulphate 10 mg iv
injections with 4 hour intervals and cox-2 pathway inhibitors was not sufficient for pain relief (pain
score – 6-8 VAS). Splanchnic neurolysis performed on postoperative day 14. Patient laid in prone
position on the computed tomography table. After marking of injection sites, definition of needles
traces and deep local infiltration with 1% lidocain, two 22 gauge 20 cm Chiba needles had been
inserted transdiscally on the level of T12/L1. Pain relieved after injection of 4 ml 2% lidocaine on each
side10 ml 10% aqueous phenol had been injected on each side for neurolytic block 0.1 g cefazolin
injected intradiscally Patient had complete pain relief until day 5, when he felt severe continuous pain
on his upper right abdomen After two weeks of follow-up incomplete right splanchnic block diagnosed
and to perform of repeated right side splanchnic neurolysis had been decided. On day 14 after 1-st
neurolysis, a 3½ inch 25 gauge Quincke needle had been inserted in right retrocrural space on the
level of L1. After contrast and 4 ml 2% lidocaine injection, 15 ml 95% alcohol injected Pain relieved
completely. No additional analgesia requirements lifetime (10 weeks).
Case 2. 62 years old male with gastric cancer. Cancer recurrence after partial gastrectomy and
severe intractable abdominal pain. 120 mg morphine hydrochloride daily, pain score 6-8 VAS. T12-L1
computed tomography guided transdiscal splanchnic nerve block performed in patient prone position.
After marking of injection site at left side from vertebral column and deep infiltration with 1% lidocaine,
a 22G 20 cm Chiba needle had been inserted. 0.1 g cefazolin injected intradiscally. Intervertebral disk
penetrated centrally and contrast spread was equal on both sides between aorta and L1 vertebra.
Pain relieved after injection of 5 ml 2% lidocaine and 15 ml 95% alcohol. After procedure pain score –
3-4, patient was needed in 10 mg morphine hydrochloride and 150 mg lyrica daily.
In conclusion, computed tomography guided transdiscal splanchnic neurolysis is a safe and effective
treatment tool for upper abdomen cancer pain relief. In cases of incomplete neurolysis repeated
neurolytic block may be helpful.