Journal of clinical gastroenterology
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J. Clin. Gastroenterol. · Jul 1996
Case ReportsCeliac plexus block as treatment for refractory pain related to sclerosing cholangitis in AIDS patients.
Sclerosing cholangitis may be a cause of refractory pain in patients infected with the human immunodeficiency virus. We performed celiac plexus block in three such patients with sever pain from sclerosing cholangitis and a poor response to conventional analgesia. The pain had been centered in the epigastrium and/or upper-right quadrant of the abdomen for 2, 10, and 15 weeks, respectively. ⋯ All patients were discharged free of pain and without analgesics and were followed up for 2, 8, and 11 months, respectively, without recurrence of pain. Celiac plexus block deserves further trial for the treatment of severe pain associated with sclerosing cholangitis in patients with acquired immunodeficiency syndrome. The quality of life of our three patients was considerably improved with this relatively simple procedure.