Paraplegia following coeliac plexus block with phenol. Case report

Area of Science:

• Neurology
• Oncology
• Pain Management

Background:

• Pancreatic cancer often requires pain management strategies.
• Coeliac plexus block is a known intervention for abdominal pain.
• Neurological complications following such procedures are rare but significant.

Purpose of the Study:

• To describe a rare case of paraplegia following a coeliac plexus block.
• To investigate the potential mechanism behind this neurological complication.

Main Methods:

• A case report of a patient undergoing coeliac plexus block with 6% aqueous phenol for pancreatic carcinoma.
• Clinical observation and neurological assessment of the patient.

Main Results:

• The patient developed paraplegia post-procedure.
• No prior neurological issues were noted in the patient.
• Vascular ischemia of the spinal cord is hypothesized as the cause.

Conclusions:

• Coeliac plexus block, while effective for pain, carries a risk of severe neurological complications.
• Spinal cord vascular ischemia should be considered in the etiology of paraplegia after coeliac plexus block.
• Further research into the vascular supply of the spinal cord in relation to this procedure is warranted.