Clin Endosc.  2013 May;46(3):306-309. 10.5946/ce.2013.46.3.306.

Hepatic and Splenic Infarction and Bowel Ischemia Following Endoscopic Ultrasound-Guided Celiac Plexus Neurolysis

Affiliations
  • 1Institute for Digestive Research, Digestive Disease Center, Department of Internal Medicine, Soonchunhyang University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea. swcha@schmc.ac.kr

Abstract

Endoscopic ultrasound-guided celiac plexus neurolysis (EUS-CPN) is a well-established intervention to palliate malignant pain. We report a patient who developed hepatic and splenic infarction and bowel ischemia following EUS-CPN. A 69-year-old man with known lung cancer and pancreatic metastasis was transferred for debilitating, significant epigastric pain for several months. The patient underwent EUS-CPN to palliate the pain. After the procedure, the patient complained continuously of abdominal pain, nausea, and vomiting; hematemesis and hematochezia were newly developed. Abdominal computed tomography revealed infarction of the liver and spleen and ischemia of the stomach and proximal small bowel. On esophagogastroduodenoscopy, hemorrhagic gastroduodenitis, and multiple gastric ulcers were noted without active bleeding. The patient expired on postoperative day 27 despite the best supportive care.

Keyword

Celiac plexus neurolysis; Endoscopic ultrasound-guided fine needle aspiration; Infarction and ischemia

MeSH Terms

Abdominal Pain
Celiac Plexus
Endoscopic Ultrasound-Guided Fine Needle Aspiration
Endoscopy, Digestive System
Gastrointestinal Hemorrhage
Hematemesis
Hemorrhage
Humans
Infarction
Ischemia
Liver
Lung Neoplasms
Nausea
Neoplasm Metastasis
Spleen
Splenic Infarction
Stomach
Stomach Ulcer

Figure

  • Fig. 1 (A) An endoscopic ultrasonography (EUS) image from the proximal stomach demonstrates a longitudinal view of the aorta at the level of the celiac trunk. The vascular landmarks were confirmed by color Doppler image. (B) EUS image of the needle (white arrow) located at the celiac plexus. CT, celiac trunk; AO, aorta.

  • Fig. 2 (A) Computed tomography (CT) scan of the abdomen on postoperative day (POD) 5 demonstrating splenic infarction (white arrow). (B) CT scan of the abdomen on POD 5 demonstrating hepatic infarction (black arrow).

  • Fig. 3 (A) Computed tomography (CT) scan of the abdomen on postoperative day (POD) 5 with edematous wall thickening of stomach and decreased enhancement degree of gastric mucosa of the upper body (white arrow). (B) CT scan of the abdomen on POD 5 demonstrating diffuse edematous wall thickening of the duodenum (black arrow).

  • Fig. 4 (A) Images taken during upper esophagogastroduodenoscopy (EGD) on postoperative day (POD) 6, revealing gastric ulcer of the lesser curvature of the antrum. (B) Images taken during upper EGD on POD 6, revealing hemorrhagic gastritis of the greater curvature of the body.

  • Fig. 5 (A) Images taken during esophagogastroduodenoscopy (EGD) on postoperative day (POD) 12, revealing gastric ulcer of the lesser curvature of the antrum, improved state. (B) Images taken during EGD on POD 12, revealing hemorrhagic gastritis, necrotic debris, gastric infarction of the posterior wall of the body.


Reference

1. Pello S, Miller A, Ku T, Wang D. Hemorrhagic gastritis and duodenitis following celiac plexus neurolysis. Pain Physician. 2009; 12:1001–1003. PMID: 19935986.
2. Mercadante S, Nicosia F. Celiac plexus block: a reappraisal. Reg Anesth Pain Med. 1998; 23:37–48. PMID: 9552777.
Article
3. O'Toole TM, Schmulewitz N. Complication rates of EUS-guided celiac plexus blockade and neurolysis: results of a large case series. Endoscopy. 2009; 41:593–597. PMID: 19588286.
4. Ahmed HM, Friedman SE, Henriques HF, Berk BS. End-organ ischemia as an unforeseen complication of endoscopic-ultrasound-guided celiac plexus neurolysis. Endoscopy. 2009; 41(Suppl 2):E218–E219. PMID: 19757362.
Article
5. Buckley NM, Brazeau P, Frasier ID, Gootman PM. Circulatory effects of splanchnic nerve stimulation in developing swine. Am J Physiol. 1985; 248(1 Pt 2):H69–H74. PMID: 3970177.
Article
6. Yang Z, Wang J, Zheng T, Altura BT, Altura BM. Importance of extracellular Ca2+ and intracellular Ca2+ release in ethanol-induced contraction of cerebral arterial smooth muscle. Alcohol. 2001; 24:145–153. PMID: 11557300.
Article
7. Eisenberg E, Carr DB, Chalmers TC. Neurolytic celiac plexus block for treatment of cancer pain: a meta-analysis. Anesth Analg. 1995; 80:290–295. PMID: 7818115.
8. Puli SR, Reddy JB, Bechtold ML, Antillon MR, Brugge WR. EUS-guided celiac plexus neurolysis for pain due to chronic pancreatitis or pancreatic cancer pain: a meta-analysis and systematic review. Dig Dis Sci. 2009; 54:2330–2337. PMID: 19137428.
Article
Full Text Links
  • CE
Actions
Cited
CITED
export Copy
Close
Share
  • Twitter
  • Facebook
Similar articles
Copyright © 2024 by Korean Association of Medical Journal Editors. All rights reserved.     E-mail: koreamed@kamje.or.kr