Endoscopic ultrasound-guided coeliac plexus neurolysis to reduce pain in patients with pancreatic cancer.

Pain is among the most common symptoms in patients with pancreatic cancer and up to 80% require analgesics, most often as opioids. Unfortunately the analgesic effect is frequently insufficient, and increasing doses are required, resulting in unpleasant side effects. Endoscopic ultrasound-guided neurolysis is a well established method to alleviate or reduce pain due to pancreatic cancer with a documented effect in 80% of patients. The aim of this review is to draw attention to endoscopic ultrasound-guided neurolysis and to discuss its potential which may not be fully utilized.