Alcoholic celiac plexus blocks have been used to relieve intractable upper abdominal cancer pain. Various techniques have been proposed including the use of the X-ray and CT scanner to improve results and to avoid complications. We used the CT scanner and the X-ray fluroscope for 36 cases of alcoholic celiac plexus blocks to determine the depth and position of the needle without previous diagnostic blocks. Good to excellent pain relief occurred in more than 72% of the patients and the advantages of the use of the CT scanner showed that 1) placement of the needle tip is easily established according to the surrounding anatomical structures. 2) the operator can introduce the needle without anxiety. 3) the time required for block are saved.
Alcoholics ; Anxiety ; Celiac Plexus* ; Humans ; Needles

Intrathecal administration of morphine for pain relief became popular since Pert, et al (1973) reported the opioid receptors in spinal cord. It is obvious now morphine bas prolonged and profound analgesic effect with few compl-ications but the leant dose which produces sufficient analgsia with insignificant complication is still controversial. The dosage of intrathecal morphine used for postoperative analgesia has varied from 0.1 mg to 2 mg, but significantly low dosage was required br direct intrathecal route than by epidural one to reach the appropriate analgesic CSF concentration. We selected 60 Patients (50 for cesarean section, 10 for total hysterectomy) and divided into 3groups to compare the effects respectively. Group l : 20 patients receiving 0.05mg of intrathecal morphine, Group ll : 20 patients receiving 0.1 mg of intrathecal morphine, Group lll : 20 Patients receiving 0.2 mg of intrathecal morphine The results are as follows ; 1) The analgesic effects of group l and ll were good and similiar, but 2 of group l and 1 of group ll required a single supplementary intramuscular demerol 6 hours after intrathecal morphine injection. The quality of analgesia was judged to be better in group lll than in group I and ll. 2) The duration of analgesia of group lll was a little longer than group I and ll, which showed similar duration. 3) The side effects of group l, ll and lll were similar, but pruritus was noted twice as much in group in lll than in group l and ll.
Analgesia ; Cesarean Section ; Female ; Humans ; Meperidine ; Morphine* ; Pregnancy ; Pruritus ; Receptors, Opioid ; Spinal Cord

Neurolysis of the celiac plexus has been performed to relieve intractable pain cauaed by carcinoma of the pancreas, liver, gall bladder or atomach. It is also occasionally effective in controlling the pain of chronic pancreatitis. In practice, hoarever celiac plexus 71oct ig not a simple procedure to the beginner. The results and 77mplications are variable, In order to correctly inject neurolytic agents into or near the celiac plexus and to reduce the time consumed to perform celiac plexus block, we used CT scanner for 7 cases of alcohol celiac plexus b1ock. The effects will be described. The purpose Of 7hia article is to improve the technical aspect of Celiac Plexus block to the beginner.
Celiac Plexus* ; Liver ; Pain, Intractable ; Pancreas ; Pancreatitis, Chronic ; Urinary Bladder