Computed tomography-guided splanchnic nerve neurolysis outcomes by tumor site in unresectable pancreatic cancer: A single-center retrospective cohort study

Table 1 Patient and procedural characteristics at the initial computed tomography-guided neurolytic splanchnic nerve block

Characteristic	All patients (n = 22)	Head (n = 9)	Body/tail (n = 13)	Technical success (n = 17)	Technical failure (n = 5)
Age (years)	60.5 (56.5-64.5)	61 (53-63)	60 (58-65)	60 (58-63)	63 (44-70)
Male sex	16 (72.7)	6 (66.7)	10 (76.9)	11 (64.7)	5 (100.0)
PL I only	5 (22.7)	1 (11.1)	4 (30.8)	3 (17.6)	2 (40.0)
PL II only	3 (13.6)	3 (33.3)	0 (0.0)	2 (11.8)	1 (20.0)
Both PL I and PL II	14 (63.6)	5 (55.6)	9 (69.2)	12 (70.6)	2 (40.0)
Recorded metastatic or locally invasive disease	17 (77.3)	7 (77.8)	10 (76.9)	15 (88.2)	2 (40.0)
90% alcohol mixture volume (mL)	10.6 ± 3.5	9.0 ± 1.7	11.7 ± 4.1	11.5 ± 3.3	7.4 ± 2.5

Data are presented as n (%), median (interquartile range), or mean ± SD, as indicated. Only the initial procedure was included for each patient. PL I was defined as the pancreatic head nerve plexus I, extending from the right celiac ganglion to the posterior pancreatic head; PL II was defined as the pancreatic head nerve plexus II, connecting the superior mesenteric nerve plexus with the uncinate process.

Table 2 Clinical and technical outcomes after the initial computed tomography-guided neurolytic splanchnic nerve block

Outcome	All patients (n = 22)	Head (n = 9)	Body/tail (n = 13)
Technical success	17/22 (77.3); 56.6%-89.9%	7/9 (77.8); 45.3%-93.7%	10/13 (76.9); 49.7%-91.8%
Clinical success	18/22 (81.8); 61.5%-92.7%	6/9 (66.7); 35.4%-87.9%	12/13 (92.3); 66.7%-98.6%
Any adverse event	6/22 (27.3); 13.2%-48.2%	0/9 (0.0); 0.0%-29.9%	6/13 (46.2); 23.2%-70.9%
Grade ≥ 3 adverse events	0/22 (0.0); 0.0%-14.9%	0/9 (0.0); 0.0%-29.9%	0/13 (0.0); 0.0%-22.8%
Evaluable duration/clinical successes	13/18	6/6	7/12
Recorded efficacy duration (days)	40 (19-144); 19-173	29.5 (20.8-38.3); 18-181	117 (56-158.5); 8-243
Duration unavailable after transfer	4	0	4
Duration unavailable after death	1	0	1

Binary outcomes are presented as n/N (%) with Wilson’s 95% confidence intervals. Efficacy duration is presented as the median (interquartile range) with distribution-free confidence intervals providing at least 95% coverage and was evaluated only in clinically successful patients with available duration data. Five durations were unavailable after transfer (n = 4) or death (n = 1). Adverse events were graded using the Common Terminology Criteria for Adverse Events, version 5.0. 95%CI: 95% confidence interval.