Combined Celiac Ganglia and Plexus Neurolysis Shortens Survival, Without Benefit, vs Plexus Neurolysis Alone

Endoscopic Management of Pain due to Chronic Pancreatitis

Pain secondary to chronic pancreatitis is a poorly understood and complex phenomenon. Current endoscopic treatments target pancreatic duct decompression secondary to strictures, stones, or inflammatory and neoplastic masses. When there is refractory pain and other treatments have been unsuccessful, one can consider an endoscopic ultrasound-guided celiac plexus block. Data on the latter are underwhelming.

Best supportive care in advanced pancreas cancer: a systematic review to define a patient-care bundle

BACKGROUND

The majority of patients with pancreatic adenocarcinoma (PDAC) have advanced disease at presentation, preventing treatment with curative intent. Management of these patients is often provided by surgical teams for whom there are a lack of widely accepted strategies for care. The aim of this study was to conduct a systematic review to identify key issues in patients with advanced PDAC and integrate the evidence to form a care bundle checklist for use in surgical clinics.

METHODS

A systematic review of the literature was performed regarding best supportive care for advanced PDAC according to the PRISMA guidelines. Interventions pertaining to supportive care were included whilst preventative and curative treatments were excluded. A narrative review was planned.

RESULTS

Forty-four studies were assessed and four themes were developed: (i) Pain is an undertreated symptom, requiring escalating analgesics and sometimes invasive modalities. (ii) Health-related quality of life necessitates optimisation by involving family, carers and multi-disciplinary teams. (iii) Malnutrition and weight loss can be mitigated with early assessment, replacement therapies and resistance exercise. (iv) Biliary and duodenal obstruction can often be relieved by endoscopic/radiological interventions with surgery rarely required.

CONCLUSION

This is the first systematic review to evaluate the different types of interventions utilized during best supportive care in patients with advanced PDAC. It provides a comprehensive care bundle for surgeons that informs management of the common issues experienced by patients within a multidisciplinary environment.

EUS-guided interventional therapies for pancreatic diseases

Endoscopic ultrasound (EUS) is an integrated diagnostic technique merging endoscope and ultrasound to examine the digestive system. EUS has emerged as a primary diagnostic method for pancreatic diseases due to its distinctive benefits. Over the past four decades, EUS has undergone a transformation, shifting its role from primarily diagnostic to increasingly therapeutic. Additionally, in recent years, EUS has emerged as an increasingly prominent adjunctive or alternative approach to conventional surgical interventions. This review provides a comprehensive analysis of current technological approaches in the treatment of pancreatic diseases. The dynamic interplay with diverse therapeutic approaches has reinvigorated EUS and shaped its trajectory in the management of pancreatic diseases.

Endoscopic Ultrasound-Guided Pain Management

The diagnosis and management of pancreatic cancer has become a standard role for the endoscopic oncologist. Pancreatic cancer can produce disabling abdominal pain, and the medical management of this pain is often challenging. Endoscopic ultrasound-guided celiac plexus neurolysis and celiac ganglia neurolysis serve as an alternative or adjunct for pain control in these patients. There remains a great deal of practice variability with regard to techniques and approaches. This article summarizes the latest scientific evidence and highlights contemporary best practice advice for these procedures.

Therapeutic Endoscopic Ultrasound for Complications of Pancreatic Cancer

Progression of pancreatic adenocarcinoma can result in disease complications such as biliary obstruction and gastric outlet obstruction. The recent advances in endoscopic ultrasound (EUS) have transformed EUS from a purely diagnostic technology to a therapeutic modality, particularly with the development of lumen-apposing metal stents. In terms of biliary drainage, EUS-guided choledochoduodenostomy and EUS-guided hepaticogastrostomy offer safe and effective techniques when conventional transpapillary stent placement via ERCP fails or is not possible. If these modalities are not feasible, EUS-guided gallbladder drainage offers yet another salvage technique when the cystic duct is non-involved by the cancer. Lastly, EUS-guided gastroenterostomy allows for an effective bypass treatment for cases of gastric outlet obstruction that enables patients to resume eating within several days. Future randomized studies comparing these techniques to current standard-of-care options are warranted to firmly establish therapeutic EUS procedures within the treatment algorithm for this challenging disease.

Crosstalk Between Peripheral Innervation and Pancreatic Ductal Adenocarcinoma

Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) is a highly aggressive lethal malignancy, characterized by late diagnosis, aggressive growth, and therapy resistance, leading to a poor overall prognosis. Emerging evidence shows that the peripheral nerve is an important non-tumor component in the tumor microenvironment that regulates tumor growth and immune escape. The crosstalk between the neuronal system and PDAC has become a hot research topic that may provide novel mechanisms underlying tumor progression and further uncover promising therapeutic targets. In this review, we highlight the mechanisms of perineural invasion and the role of various types of tumor innervation in the progression of PDAC, summarize the potential signaling pathways modulating the neuronal-cancer interaction, and discuss the current and future therapeutic possibilities for this condition.

Efficacy of Endoscopic Ultrasound-guided Celiac Plexus Neurolysis for Abdominal Pain in Patients With Unresectable Pancreatic Cancer: Network Meta-analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials

GOALS

We conducted a systematic review and network meta-analysis to investigate the effect of endoscopic ultrasound-guided celiac plexus neurolysis added to medical management (EUS-CPN+MM) compared with MM, percutaneous CPN (P-CPN)+MM, or intraoperative CPN (I-CPN)+MM for abdominal pain associated with unresectable pancreatic cancer.

BACKGROUND

Many approaches to CPN have been proposed since 1919. EUS-CPN, which is less invasive and safer than traditional procedures, has been preferred recently, but the superiority of EUS-CPN+MM has not been fully investigated.

STUDY

We performed searches of PubMed, Web of Science, and the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials for randomized controlled trials (RCTs) on March 16, 2021. We conducted the network meta-analysis using a frequentist weighted least-squares approach. We used a random-effects model to synthesize the primary outcome, defined as the mean difference between treatment groups in standardized pain intensity scores at 4 and 12 weeks.

RESULTS

We selected 10 RCTs involving 662 individuals. At 4 weeks, the estimated mean difference between the EUS-CPN+MM and MM groups was -1.30 (95% CI: -2.19 to -0.41) in favor of EUS-CPN+MM, and that between the EUS-CPN+MM and P-CPN+MM groups was -0.88 (95% CI: -1.82 to 0.06). At 12 weeks, the estimated mean difference between the EUS-CPN+MM and MM groups was -2.58 (95% CI: -3.68 to -1.48), and that between the EUS-CPN+MM and P-CPN+MM groups was -2.44 (95% CI: -4.03 to -0.84), both in favor of EUS-CPN+MM.

CONCLUSIONS

The combination of EUS-CPN+MM was effective at 4 and 12 weeks, although the risk of bias in synthesized studies was generally high, necessitating careful interpretation.

Interventional Endoscopic Ultrasound: Current Status and Future Frontiers

Interventional endoscopic ultrasound has fueled remarkable advancements in the field of therapeutic procedures, revolutionizing minimally invasive interventions for a diverse range of conditions. This review highlights the latest breakthroughs and advancements in therapeutic endoscopic ultrasound, showcasing its potential to transform patient care.

Protocol for a randomized controlled trial of endoscopic ultrasound guided celiac plexus neurolysis (EUS-CPN) with vs without bupivacaine

BACKGROUND

Pancreatic cancer is a devastating disease with less than 5% 5-year survival. Inoperable patients often present with pain. Randomized controlled trial have shown that endoscopic ultrasound-guided celiac plexus neurolysis (EUS-CPN) improves pain control. It is usually performed by injecting bupivacaine followed by absolute alcohol around the celiac axis.

STUDY DESIGN

Single center, randomized, double blind controlled trial of EUS-CPN with and without bupivacaine in patients with inoperable malignancy (pancreatic or other) involving the celiac plexus. The study was approved by research ethics board with approval number of 2022-9969, 21.151 and registered on ClinicalTrials.gov (NCT04951804).

DISCUSSION

We hypothesize that bupivacaine is superfluous and may actually reduce pain control by diluting the neurolytic effect of alcohol. Bupivacaine is also potentially dangerous in that it may produce serious adverse events such as arrythmias and cardiac arrest if inadvertently injected intravascularly.

CONCLUSION

This randomized trial is designed to assess whether bupivacaine is of any value during EUS-CPN.

EUS-guided celiac plexus neurolysis for pancreas cancer - Finally established or still under review?

Patients with pancreas cancer must deal frequently with intractable and refractory pain. Endoscopic ultrasound guided-celiac plexus neurolysis (EUS-CPN) has been the most studied and used therapeutic technique aimed to destroy the pain fibres that allow the pancreas to communicate with the central nervous system. A neurolytic agent, most commonly ethanol, is optimally spread around the celiac axis in order to reduce pain and mitigate narcotic requirements. This can be performed early to prevent the spiral of pain and medication use, or more historically as salvage therapy. Different techniques to best administer the ethanol for effective EUS-CPN are still being debated. New EUS-guided injection techniques with radiofrequency, radioactive, and/or chemotherapeutic agents need more study.

Systematic review and meta-analysis of celiac plexus neurolysis for abdominal pain associated with unresectable pancreatic cancer

INTRODUCTION

Celiac plexus neurolysis (CPN) has been developed as adjunctive therapy to medical management (MM) of abdominal pain associated with unresectable pancreatic cancer. We aimed to conduct a systematic review and meta-analysis to obtain updated and more accurate evidence on the efficacy of additional types of CPN, including endoscopic ultrasound-guided CPN (EUS-CPN).

METHODS

On March 16, 2021, we performed searches of PubMed, Web of Science, and CENTRAL for original randomized controlled trials (RCTs). We defined the primary outcome as a standardized pain intensity score with a range of 0-10, and evaluated the mean difference between the CPN + MM and MM groups at 4, 8, and 12 weeks after the initiation of treatment. We used a random-effects model to synthesize the mean differences across RCTs.

RESULTS

We selected 10 RCTs involving 646 individuals. The synthesized mean difference in the pain intensity score between the CPN + MM and MM groups was -0.58 (95% confidence interval [CI]: -1.09 to -0.07) (p = 0.034) in favor of CPN + MM at 4 weeks, -0.46 (95%CI: -1.00 to 0.08) (p = 0.081) at 8 weeks, and - 1.35 (95%CI: -3.61 to 0.92) (p = 0.17) at 12 weeks.

CONCLUSIONS

This updated meta-analysis of CPN demonstrates its efficacy for managing abdominal pain at 4 weeks. Although there are various limitations, when abdominal pain in patients with unresectable pancreatic cancer is poorly controlled with MM alone, CPN should be an option even if the duration of effect is short-lived, taking into account the absence of serious adverse events.

Endoscopic Management of Pancreatobiliary Malignancies

Pancreatobiliary malignancies have poor prognosis, and many patients are inoperable at the time of diagnosis. When surgical resection is impossible, systemic chemotherapy or radiotherapy is traditionally conducted with trial of immunotherapy or gene therapy lately. With the rapid development of endoscopic instruments and accessories in recent years, not only endoscopic early detection, characterization, and staging but also endoscopic palliative management of the pancreatobiliary malignancies is expanding the horizons. Endoscopic management is often preferred due to similar efficacy to surgical management with less morbidity. Here, we review the methodology and treatment outcome of various endoscopic management strategies in pancreatobiliary malignancies including endoscopic complication management, local palliative therapy, endoscopy-assisted therapy, and pain control utilizing endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography or endoscopic ultrasound.

Efficacy of EUS-guided celiac plexus neurolysis in combination with EUS-guided celiac ganglia neurolysis for pancreatic cancer-associated pain: a multicenter prospective trial

OBJECTIVES

This study evaluated the efficacy of endoscopic ultrasound-guided celiac plexus neurolysis (EUS-CPN) in combination with EUS-guided celiac ganglia neurolysis (EUS-CGN) for pancreatic cancer-associated pain.

METHODS

This multicenter prospective trial was registered in the University Hospital Medical Information Network (UMIN000031228). Fifty-one consecutive patients with pancreatic cancer-associated pain who presented at one of five Japanese referral centers between February 2018 and March 2021 were enrolled. EUS-CGN was added in cases of visible celiac ganglia. The primary endpoint was effectiveness, defined as a decrease in the numerical rating scale (NRS) by ≥ 3 points. NRS data were prospectively acquired at 1 week after the procedure to evaluate its effectiveness and the extent of pain relief.

RESULTS

The technical success rates of EUS-CPN and EUS-CGN were 100% and 80.4%, respectively. The overall efficacy rate was 82.4% [90% confidence interval (CI) 71.2-90.5, P < 0.0001]. The complete pain relief rate was 27.4%. The adverse events rate was 15.7%. The average pain relief period was 72 days. The efficacy rate was higher in the EUS-CPN plus EUS-CGN group than in the EUS-CPN alone group. EUS-CPN plus EUS-CGN was superior to EUS-CPN alone for achieving complete pain relief (P = 0.045). EUS-CGN did not improve the average length of the pain relief period.

CONCLUSIONS

EUS-CPN combined with EUS-CGN is safe, feasible, and effective for pain relief in patients with pancreatic cancer. The patients who received additional EUS-CGN had a better short-term response.

CLINICAL TRIAL NUMBER

UMIN000031228.

Celiac Plexus Neurolysis Is Associated With Decreased Survival in Patients With Pancreatic Cancer: A Propensity Score Analysis

OBJECTIVE

The aim of this study was to investigate survival in patients who received celiac plexus neurolysis (CPN) compared with patients who received opioids.

METHODS

The Surveillance, Epidemiology and End Results-Medicare database was used to identify patients older than 65 years diagnosed with pancreatic cancer between 2007 and 2015. We used claims data to identify patients with a history of CPN and opioid use within 1 year of diagnosis, and other demographic, clinical, and treatment variables. Kaplan-Meier analyses and inverse propensity-weighted adjusted Cox proportional hazard ratios were used to evaluate survival.

RESULTS

We identified 648 patients who underwent CPN (19.0%) compared with 2769 patients who received opioids (81.0%). The median survival and interquartile range for patients who received CPN was 4.0 months (2.0-8.0 months) compared with 7.0 months (3.0-12.0 months) for opioid users (P < 0.0001). After adjusting for confounders and propensity score, the patients who received CPN showed worsened survival (hazard ratio, 1.69; 95% confidence interval, 1.59-1.79).

CONCLUSIONS

Pancreatic cancer patients who underwent CPN had decreased survival compared with opioid users. This suggests that opioid sparing methods to reduce pancreatic cancer pain may actually be harmful. Future prospective studies should investigate whether other opioid sparing therapies impact pancreatic cancer survival.

Endoscopic ultrasound role in pancreatic adenocarcinoma treatment: A review focusing on technical success, safety and efficacy

The impressive technological advances in recent years have rapidly translated into the shift of endoscopic ultrasound (EUS) from diagnostic modality into an interventional and therapeutic tool. Despite the great advance in its diagnosis, the majority of pancreatic adenocarcinoma cases are inoperable when diagnosed, thus demanding alternative optional therapies. EUS has emerged as an easy, minimally invasive modality targeting this carcinoma with different interventions that have been reported recently. In this review we summarize the evolving role of interventional therapeutic EUS in pancreatic adenocarcinoma management.

Endoscopic ultrasonography-guided celiac plexus neurolysis in patients with unresectable pancreatic cancer: An update

Pancreatic cancer produces disabling abdominal pain, and the pain medical management for pancreatic cancer is often challenging because it mainly relies on the use of narcotics (major opioids). However, opioids often provide suboptimal pain relief, and the use of opioids can lead to patient tolerance and several side effects that considerably reduce the quality of life of pancreatic cancer patients. Endosonography-guided celiac plexus neurolysis (EUS-CPN) is an alternative for pain control in patients with nonsurgical pancreatic cancer; EUS-CPN consists of the injection of alcohol and a local anesthetic into the area of the celiac plexus to achieve chemical ablation of the nerve tissue. EUS-CPN via the transgastric approach is a safer and more accessible technique than the percutaneous approach. We have reviewed most of the studies that evaluate the efficacy of EUS-CPN and that have compared the different approaches that have been performed by endosonographers. The efficacy of EUS-CPN varies from 50% to 94% in the different studies, and EUS-CPN has a pain relief duration of 4–8 wk. Several factors are involved in its efficacy, such as the onset of pain, previous use of chemotherapy, presence of metastatic disease, EUS-CPN technique, type of needle or neurolytic agent used, etc. According to this review, injection into the ganglia may be the best technique, and a good visualization of the ganglia is the best predictor for a good EUS-CPN response, although more studies are needed. However, any of the 4 different techniques could be used to perform EUS-CPN effectively with no differences in terms of complications between the techniques, but more studies are needed. The effect of EUS-CPN on pain improvement, patient survival and patient quality of life should be evaluated in well-designed randomized clinical trials. Further research also needs to be performed to clarify the best time frame in performing a EUS-CPN.

EUS-CGN versus EUS-CPN in pancreatic cancer: A qualitative systematic review

BACKGROUND

Comparison between endosonographic ultrasonography (EUS)-guided celiac ganglia neurolysis (CGN) and EUS-guided celiac plexus neurolysis (CPN) in pain management for pancreatic cancer has engendered controversy. To analyze the effectiveness and safety of EUS-CGN and figure out whether EUS-CGN is better than EUS-CPN, a qualitative systematic review was conducted.

METHODS

Studies were searched from Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials, MEDLINE, and EMBASE up to April 2020. We only included studies with full-text and in English and assessed study quality with Newcastle-Ottawa Scale or Cochrane risk-of-bias tool. We recorded details of study design, participants, procedure performed, protocol of follow-up, pain response, quality of life, survival, and adverse events. The study was conducted under Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses statement 2009.

RESULTS

Five studies involving 319 patients were included. Short-term pain response rates ranged from 65.0% to 88.46% in EUS-CGN group and most studies reported its superiority over EUS-CPN. As for adverse events, the incidence of transient hypotension and gastrointestinal symptoms seemed comparable, while results of initial pain exacerbation varied among studies. Besides, EUS-CGN might provide a shorter survival.

CONCLUSION

EUS-CGN can be safely performed while it may shorten survival. In terms of short-term pain response, EUS-CGN is better than EUS-CPN while no conclusion of long-term pain control can be drawn.

Perineural Invasion and Associated Pain Transmission in Pancreatic Cancer

Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) is one of the cancers with the highest incidence of perineural invasion (PNI), which often indicates a poor prognosis. Aggressive tumor cells invade nerves, causing neurogenic inflammation; the tumor microenvironment also induces nerves to undergo a series of structural and functional reprogramming. In turn, neurons and the surrounding glial cells promote the development of pancreatic cancer through autocrine and/or paracrine signaling. In addition, hyperalgesia in PDAC patients implies alterations of pain transmission in the peripheral and central nervous systems. Currently, the studies on this topic are relatively limited. This review will elaborate on the mechanisms of tumor-neural interactions and its possible relationship with pain from several aspects that have been focused on in recent years.

Interventional endoscopic ultrasound

PURPOSE OF REVIEW

To update on recent advances in interventional endoscopic ultrasound (INVEUS) techniques.

RECENT FINDINGS

The introduction of linear echoendoscopes with larger instrument channels and the combined development of new tools and devices have enabled various new applications of minimally invasive endoscopic ultrasound (EUS)-guided transluminal interventions of the pancreas, biliary system and peri-gastrointestinal structures. In this review, EUS-guided interventions are discussed and evaluated: drainage of peripancreatic fluid collections, access and drainage of bile ducts, gallbladder and pancreatic duct, treatment of gastrointestinal haemorrhage, coeliac plexus block and coeliac plexus neurolysis, fiducial placement, solid and cystic tumour ablation, drug delivery and brachytherapy, gastroenterostomy, angiotherapy and other EUS-guided applications. The EUS-guided interventions are classified based on the available evidence as established or experimental, standardized or nonstandardized procedures in common or rare diseases with well or little known complications and their established or nonestablished treatment.

SUMMARY

Some EUS-guided interventions have sparse published evidence with only single-centre studies, case series or individual case reports, others like drainage of peripancreatic fluid collections have become widely accepted practice. INVEUS has been accepted as an alternative to several surgical approaches, EUS-guided techniques result in faster recovery times, shorter hospital stay and lower costs.

EUS-guided celiac plexus neurolysis for pain in pancreatic cancer patients - a meta-analysis and systematic review

Background: Endoscopic ultrasound guided celiac plexus neurolysis (EUS- CPN) has been reported to be an effective way to help with pain in pancreatic cancer patient. The aim of our updated meta-analysis is to assess the efficacy of pain relief in patients with pancreatic cancer who underwent EUS guided neurolysis.

Methods:

Pooled proportions were calculated using both Mantel-Haenszel method (fixed effects model) and DerSimonian Laird method (random effects model). The heterogeneity among studies was tested using Cochran’s Q test based upon inverse variance weights. 

Results: Initial search identified 176 reference articles, of which 34 were selected and reviewed in detail. Sixteen studies that met the inclusion criteria were included in this analysis. The mean age of patients undergoing neurolysis was 56.31 ± 19.72 years. Number of males, N = 563 (57.4%), was higher than the number of females, N = 417 (42.5%). The pooled proportion of patients who showed pain relief with EUS-guided neurolysis was 71% (95% CI = 68–74). Bias calculated using Begg–Mazumdar was not significant (p = 0.8). In a subgroup analysis, when comparing the central and bilateral techniques, the pooled proportion of patients with pain relief was 66% (95% CI = 61–71) and 57% (95% CI = 48–67), respectively.

Conclusions: Our results show that EUS guided CPN could provide relief in as much as 70% of patients with central neurolysis technique having some edge over peripheral neurolysis. Further larger scale randomized controlled trials may further help to elaborate the efficacy of central vs peripheral neurolysis.

Endoscopic ultrasound-guided celiac plexus neurolysis (EUS-CPN) technique and analgesic efficacy in patients with pancreatic cancer: A systematic review and meta-analysis

BACKGROUND

Endoscopic Ultrasound-guided Celiac Plexus Neurolysis (EUS-CPN) for the treatment of abdominal pain in pancreatic cancer can be administered in three different ways, depending on the site of needle insertion: central injection (CI), bilateral injection (BI) and celiac ganglia neurolysis (CGN). This meta-analysis aimed to (1) estimate the overall efficacy of the EUS-CPN; (2) compare the efficacy of each of the three techniques; and (3) investigate demographic and disease characteristics as potential predictors of treatment response.

METHODS

We searched MEDLINE and EMBASE for studies that reported the proportion of treatment responders to EUS-CPN overall, and according to the technique used. We performed a random effects meta-analysis of proportions, and meta-regression was used to estimate the association between technique and clinical characteristics on treatment response. The safety profile was reviewed through narrative synthesis.

RESULTS

Overall response rate to EUS-CPN was 68% (95% CI 61%-74%) at week two and 53% (95% CI 45%-62%) at week four. There was no evidence of a significant difference in the response rates between the three techniques. Demographics and disease characteristics were not associated with treatment response. Serious complications have been reported for BI and CGN but not for CI. Moderate to high risk of bias was observed.

DISCUSSION

EUS-CPN is a useful adjunct to opioids in the management of pain. There is no evidence of a difference in the efficacy among the three techniques, however, CI is the only one for which serious complications have not been reported. Future research should focus on the appropriate timing of EUS-CPN (early versus on demand) and randomised comparison to establish the comparative efficacy of each technique.

Endoscopic pancreatic duct stenting for pain palliation in selected pancreatic cancer patients: a systematic review and meta-analysis

Background

Abdominal pain is a debilitating symptom affecting ∼80% of pancreatic cancer (PC) patients. Pancreatic duct (PD) decompression has been reported to alleviate this pain, although this practice has not been widely adopted. We aimed to evaluate the role, efficacy, and safety of endoscopic PD decompression for palliation of PC post-prandial obstructive-type pain.

Methods

A systematic review until 7 October 2020 was performed. Two independent reviewers selected studies, extracted data, and assessed the methodological quality.

Results

We identified 12 publications with a total of 192 patients with PC presenting with abdominal pain, in whom PD decompression was attempted, and was successful in 167 patients (mean age 62.5 years, 58.7% males). The use of plastic stents was reported in 159 patients (95.2%). All included studies reported partial or complete improvement in pain levels after PD stenting, with an improvement rate of 93% (95% confidence interval, 79%–100%). The mean duration of pain improvement was 94 ± 16 days. Endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP)-related adverse events (AEs) were post-sphincterotomy bleeding (1.8%), post-ERCP pancreatitis (0.6%), and hemosuccus pancreaticus (0.6%). AEs were not reported in two patients who underwent endoscopic ultrasound-guided PD decompression. In the 167 patients with technical success, the stent-migration and stent-occlusion rates were 3.6% and 3.0%, respectively. No AE-related mortality was reported. The methodological quality assessment showed the majority of the studies having low or unclear quality.

Conclusion

In this exploratory analysis, endoscopic PD drainage may be an effective and safe option in selected patients for the management of obstructive-type PC pain. However, a randomized–controlled trial is needed to delineate the role of this invasive practice.

Predictors of pain response after endoscopic ultrasound-guided celiac plexus neurolysis for abdominal pain caused by pancreatic malignancy

BACKGROUND

Endoscopic ultrasound-guided celiac plexus neurolysis (EUS-CPN) has gained popularity as a minimally invasive approach and is currently widely used to treat pancreatic cancer-associated pain. However, response to treatment is variable.

AIM

To identify the efficacy of EUS-CPN and explore determinants of pain response in EUS-CPN for pancreatic cancer-associated pain.

METHODS

A retrospective study of 58 patients with abdominal pain due to inoperable pancreatic cancer who underwent EUS-CPN were included. The efficacy for palliation of pain was evaluated based on the visual analog scale pain score at 1 wk and 4 wk after EUS-CPN. Univariable and multivariable logistic regression analyses were performed to explore predictors of pain response.

RESULTS

A good pain response was obtained in 74.1% and 67.2% of patients at 1 wk and 4 wk, respectively. Tumors located in the body/tail of the pancreas and patients receiving bilateral treatment were weakly associated with a good outcome. Multivariate analysis revealed patients with invisible ganglia and metastatic disease were significant factors for a negative response to EUS-CPN at 1 wk and 4 wk, respectively, particularly for invasion of the celiac plexus (odds ratio (OR) = 13.20, P = 0.003 for 1 wk and OR = 15.11, P = 0.001 for 4 wk). No severe adverse events were reported.

CONCLUSION

EUS-CPN is a safe and effective form of treatment for intractable pancreatic cancer-associated pain. Invisible ganglia, distant metastasis, and invasion of the celiac plexus were predictors of less effective response in EUS-CPN for pancreatic cancer-related pain. For these patients, efficacy warrants attention.

EUS-Guided Celiac Plexus Interventions

Endoscopic ultrasound (EUS)-guided celiac plexus intervention comprises EUS-guided celiac plexus block (EUS-CPB) and EUS-guided celiac plexus neurolysis (EUS-CPN). EUS-CPB and EUS-CPN are one of the used methods of pain management in patients of pancreatic cancer and chronic pancreatitis, respectively, along with medical therapy. Both the procedures are associated with minimal complications and improves quality of life. The role of EUS-guided celiac plexus intervention is increasing in gall bladder carcinoma for pain control.

Efficacy of EUS-guided celiac plexus neurolysis compared with medication alone for unresectable pancreatic cancer in the oxycodone/fentanyl era: a prospective randomized control study

BACKGROUND AND AIMS

The efficacy of celiac plexus neurolysis (CPN) with EUS guidance (EUS-CPN) has not been confirmed in the era of developed opioids. The aim of this study was to evaluate the efficacy of EUS-CPN for patients with pancreatic cancer-associated pain to compare medication using oxycodone and/or fentanyl with and without EUS-CPN.

METHODS

In this randomized control study involving patients who underwent EUS-CPN and those who did not, pain, quality of life (QOL), and opioid consumption were compared. Standard medicinal treatment using oxycodone and/or fentanyl was performed for both groups. The primary endpoint was defined as the pain evaluated by using a visual analog scale (VAS) rated from a 0 to 10, 4 weeks after the baseline.

RESULTS

For 48 registered patients, the outcomes of 24 patients in the EUS-CPN group and 22 patients in the control group were analyzed. EUS-CPN was successfully performed and did not induce severe procedure-related adverse events for all patients in the EUS-CPN group. Although the average pain VAS scores for both groups significantly decreased in comparison with baseline, scores were not statistically different between the groups at week 4 (1.3 ± 1.3 for the EUS-CPN group vs 2.3 ± 2.3 for the control group, P = .10). There was no statistical difference or tendency in favor of EUS-CPN at evaluation points of weeks 1, 2, 8, and 12. Moreover, the average VAS scores for QOL and the average opioid consumption between the groups were not different at all evaluation points.

CONCLUSIONS

EUS-CPN for patients with pancreatic cancer-associated pain did not appear to improve pain, QOL, or opioid consumption compared with those who did not undergo EUS-CPN and medicated with oxycodone/fentanyl. Although EUS-CPN can be an option, it was not found to have a large enough impact to be routinely performed for all patients with pain. (Clinical trial registration number: UMIN 000037172.).

Endoscopic Ultrasound-Guided Management of Chronic Pancreatitis

PURPOSE OF REVIEW

The purpose of this review is to discuss the role of endoscopic ultrasound (EUS) in the diagnosis and treatment of chronic pancreatitis (CP).

RECENT FINDINGS

EUS has evolved and become invaluable in diagnosing early CP with the use of elastography and contrast enhancement. Lumen-apposing metal stents have allowed for easier transmural drainage and necrosectomy for pancreatic pseudocyst and walled of necrosis. EUS-guided pancreatic duct drainage is being utilized for pancreatic duct complications including stenosis, stones, and duct disruptions that are not amendable to endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography. EUS is an effective tool that assists with the diagnosis and treatment of CP. The technology continues to evolve allowing for diagnosis of CP in earlier stages, which enables more effective therapy. The development of new EUS-guided tools and techniques has improved the treatment of complications from CP.

EUS-Guided Versus Percutaneous Celiac Neurolysis for the Management of Intractable Pain Due to Unresectable Pancreatic Cancer: A Randomized Clinical Trial

Although endoscopic ultrasound-guided celiac neurolysis (EUS-CN) and percutaneous celiac neurolysis (PCN) are utilized to manage intractable pain in pancreatic cancer patients, no direct comparison has been made between the two methods. We compared the efficacy and safety of EUS-CN and PCN in managing intractable pain in such patients. Sixty pancreatic cancer patients with intractable pain were randomly assigned to EUS-CN (n = 30) or PCN (n = 30). The primary outcomes were pain reduction in numerical rating scale (NRS) and opioid requirement reduction. Secondary outcomes were: successful pain response (NRS decrease ≥50% or ≥3-point reduction from baseline); quality of life; patient satisfaction; adverse events; and survival rate at 3 months postintervention. Both groups reported sustained decreases in pain scores up to 3 months postintervention (mean reductions in abdominal pain: 0.9 (95% confidence interval (CI): -0.8 to 4.2) and 1.7 (95% CI: -0.3 to 2.1); back pain: 1.3 (95% CI: -0.9 to 3.4) and 2.5 (95% CI: -0.2 to 5.2) in EUS-CN, and PCN groups, respectively). The differences in mean pain scores between the two groups at baseline and 3 months were -0.5 (p = 0.46) and -1.4 (p = 0.11) for abdominal pain and 0.1 (p = 0.85) and -0.9 (p = 0.31) for back pain in favor of PCN. No significant differences were noted in opioid requirement reduction and other outcomes. EUS-CN and PCN were similarly effective and safe in managing intractable pain in pancreatic cancer patients. Either methods may be used depending on the resources and expertise of each institution.

Current Status of Endoscopic Ultrasound Techniques for Pancreatic Neoplasms

Endoscopic ultrasound (EUS) now plays an important role in the management of pancreatic neoplasms. There are various types of pancreatic neoplasms, from benign to malignant lesions, and the role of EUS ranges from the imaging diagnosis to treatment. EUS is useful for the detection, characterization, and tissue acquisition of pancreatic lesions. Recent advancement of contrast-enhanced harmonic EUS and elastography enables better characterization of pancreatic lesions. In addition to these enhanced EUS imaging techniques, EUS-guided tissue acquisition is now the standard procedure to establish the pathological diagnosis of pancreatic neoplasms. While these diagnostic roles of EUS have been established, EUS-guided interventions such as ablation and drainage are also increasingly utilized in the management of pancreatic neoplasms. However, most of these EUS-guided interventions are not yet standardized in terms of techniques and devices and thus need further investigations.