Objective To evaluate the efficacy and safety of CT-guided percutaneous celiac plexus block (NCPB) using 25 G controllable curved needle together with 22 G straight needle in treating refractory carcinomatous upper abdominal pain. Methods A total of 18 patients with advanced refractory carcinomatous upper abdominal pain were enrolled in this study. The carcinomatous upper abdominal pain failed to the three-step analgesic therapy. Guided by CT scan, percutaneous injection of ethanol with a 25 G controllable curved needle to destroy celiac plexus was carried out in all patients. According to WHO pain relief standards, the relieving degree of pain was evaluated before NCPB and 2 weeks, one, 2, 3 and 6 months after NCPB. The results were analyzed. Results The technical success rate was 100%. The short-term (within 2 weeks) efficacy rate was 88.8%and the complete remission rate was 38.8%. The long-term (over 3 months) efficacy rate was 50% and the complete remission rate was 20%. No severe complications occurred. Conclusion For refractory carcinomatous upper abdominal pain, CT-guided percutaneous celiac plexus block is a simple, safe and effective treatment.

OBJECTIVE: To explore the characteristics of vertebral artery system in the patients with sudden deafness by using digital subtraction angiography (DSA). METHOD: Thirty-four cases of sudden deafness with vertebrobasilar artery ischemia confirmed by the color doppler ultrasound were undergone DSA in both side. The characteristics of vertebral artery, basal artery and before-cerebellum artery were analysis before specific therapy. RESULT: There is no related complication were occurred among 34 cases. Side vertebral artery was blocked in 2 cases, atherosclerosis was found in 5 cases. The right cerebellar artery anterior and the left cerebellar artery posterior were found filling defect or minor change in 29.4% (10/34) and 35.3% (12/34) of the patients, respectively. The right and the left arteria auditiva interna were found filling defect or minor change in 64.7% (22/34) and 73.5% (25/34) of the patients, respectively. After specific therapy, 8 cases were cured, the hearing of 9 cases were markedly improved, the hearing of 12 cases were improved efficient and 5 patients have no hearing improvement, the total effective rate was 85.3%. CONCLUSION The arteria auditiva interna and inferior anterior arteria cerebelli caused inner ear ischemia were found in the patients with sudden deafness. The using of vasodilator may have satisfactory and positive curative effect in the therapy of sudden deafness.
Adolescent ; Adult ; Aged ; Angiography ; Female ; Hearing Loss, Sudden ; diagnostic imaging ; pathology ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Ultrasonography ; Vertebral Artery ; diagnostic imaging ; pathology ; Young Adult