Recent topics on endoscopic ultrasonography-guided celiac plexus neurolysis

Endoscopic ultrasonography-guided celiac plexus neurolysis (EUS-CPN) is a widely practiced technique. Three sets of guidelines have recently been published and this procedure has become a major EUS technique. However, there are still several unanswered questions. The purpose of this manuscript is to review the recent literature pertaining to EUS-CPN. Currently, the main indication of EUS-CPN is pancreatic cancer pain. It is also performed for patients with chronic pancreatitis, but the indication is controversial due to its limited efficacy and a high incidence of infectious complications. Various techniques, such as central and bilateral EUS-CPN, and EUS-guided direct celiac ganglia neurolysis (EUS-CGN) have been performed. However, the efficacies of these techniques remain controversial. Complications related to the procedures are generally not serious, but major adverse events, such as paraplegia and ischemic complications, have been reported. The impacts of EUS-CPN on survival have also been evaluated. Although increased survival was expected via improvements in the quality of life, data suggests that EUS-CPN related procedures, especially EUS-CGN, might reduce the survival time. However, precise mechanisms have not been elucidated. In addition to conventional techniques, new techniques, such as EUS-guided celiac ganglion radiofrequency ablation (EUS-RFA) and the use of highly viscous phenol-glycerol, dexmedetomidine, and contrast-enhanced agents, have been introduced. However, these techniques are still in experimental stages. Additional studies need to be conducted to address these gaps in the literature.