2. A minimally invasive procedure in which a doctor uses CT scan imaging to precisely guide a needle and inject pain-relieving medication around the celiac plexus, a network of nerves in the upper abdomen, helping block chronic pain signals.
A minimally invasive procedure in which a doctor uses CT scan imaging to precisely guide a needle and inject pain-relieving medication around the celiac plexus, a network of nerves in the upper abdomen, helping block chronic pain signals.
{"A CT-guided procedure that targets nerves causing abdominal pain","Primarily used for managing severe pain from pancreatic cancer or chronic pancreatitis","Involves inserting a thin needle to deliver anesthetic and/or steroid medication","Provides pain relief that may last weeks to months","Generally safe with minimal risks compared to open surgery"}
Key facts at a glance
- LOINC
- 24623-1
- Short code
- CT-CELIAC-NB
- Synonyms
- CT Guided Celiac plexus Nerve block
- Category
- cardiac
- Sample
- serum
- Container
- N/A - No specimen collected; this is an imaging-guided procedure
- Units
- N/A
- Ref low
- 3.5
- Ref high
- 5
- Critical range
- 2.5 N/A – 6.5 N/A
- Fasting
- false
- Population
- adult
- Sex
- all
- Age range
- ≥ 18 years
- Method
- Computed Tomography (CT) guided percutaneous injection
- CPT
- 64999 (Unlisted procedure, nervous system) or 62280 (Injection, diagnostic or therapeutic, spinal or caudal)
- SNOMED
- 387713003 (Surgical procedure) or 24184005 (Nerve block procedure)
- Specimen volume
- N/A - No specimen collected
- Stability
- N/A - No specimen collected
- Hemolysis max
- 500
- Lipemia max
- 1000
- Icterus max
- 500
- TAT
- 4–24 hours
- Order
- routine
What is a Celiac Plexus Nerve Block?
The celiac plexus is a network of nerves located in the upper abdomen, near the stomach and pancreas. These nerves transmit pain signals from abdominal organs. A celiac plexus nerve block is a procedure that injects medication directly around these nerves to block pain signals, providing relief for patients with severe chronic abdominal pain.
Why is This Procedure Performed?
This procedure is most commonly performed to manage pain associated with: pancreatic cancer, chronic pancreatitis, and other upper abdominal cancers. It is typically recommended when oral pain medications are not providing adequate relief or when patients experience significant side effects from high-dose pain medications.
How Does CT Guidance Help?
CT (Computed Tomography) scanning provides detailed cross-sectional images of your body. During the procedure, the CT scanner helps your doctor precisely locate the celiac plexus nerves and guide the needle to the exact position needed. This ensures accurate placement of the medication while avoiding nearby organs and structures, making the procedure safer and more effective.
What Happens During the Procedure?
You will lie on a CT scanning table. The procedure area (usually your back or upper abdomen) will be cleaned and numbed with local anesthesia. Using CT images for guidance, your doctor will insert a thin needle through the skin toward the celiac plexus. Once properly positioned, the pain-relieving medication (typically a combination of local anesthetic and steroid) will be injected. The procedure usually takes 30-60 minutes.
What to Expect After the Procedure
You may experience initial pain relief within hours to days after the procedure, depending on the type of medication used. The duration of pain relief varies—some patients experience relief for weeks, while others may benefit for several months. The procedure can be repeated if needed. You will be monitored briefly after the procedure before being allowed to go home the same day.
Reference range
Adult: 3.5-5.0 mmol/LN/A
Patient should have nothing by mouth (NPO) for at least 6 hours before the procedure. Inform the procedure team of any allergies, particularly to local anesthetics, contrast media, or sedatives. Discontinue anticoagulant medications as directed by the ordering physician. Bring a responsible adult to drive home if sedation is used.
Clinical interpretation
How abnormal results are interpreted and what conditions they suggest.
The celiac plexus nerve block is a valuable option for patients with refractory abdominal pain, particularly from pancreatic cancer or chronic pancreatitis. It can significantly reduce pain scores, decrease reliance on opioid medications, and improve quality of life. Studies show that approximately 50-80% of patients experience meaningful pain relief from this procedure. The CT-guided approach offers superior accuracy compared to blind techniques, reducing the risk of complications and improving outcomes.
Frequently asked questions
Is the procedure painful?
What are the risks of a celiac plexus nerve block?
How long does the pain relief last?
Will I need to stop my pain medications?
Who should not have this procedure?
Sources
- 1
- 2
- 3
Click any link to access the full source. PubMed Central (PMC) links provide free full-text access.
This information is for educational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment.
This content is for general informational and educational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the guidance of a qualified healthcare provider with any questions you have about a medical condition, and never disregard professional medical advice or delay seeking it because of something you read here.
If you think you may have a medical emergency, call your local emergency number or go to the nearest emergency department immediately.
Medically reviewed by WellAlly Editorial Team Last reviewed August 16, 2026. · Read our editorial policy