Korean J Anesthesiol.  2011 Jul;61(1):79-82. 10.4097/kjae.2011.61.1.79.

Radiofrequency thermocoagulation of the thoracic splanchnic nerve in functional abdominal pain syndrome: A case report

• Choi JW
• Joo EY
• Lee SH
• Lee CJ
• Kim TH
• Sim WS

• KMID: 2092308
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.4097/kjae.2011.61.1.79

Abstract

The thoracic splanchnic nerve block has been used in managing abdominal pain, especially for pains arising from abdominal cancers. A 27-year-old male patient who had a constant abdominal pain was referred to our clinic for pain management but had no organic disease. The numeric rating scale (NRS) for pain scored 7/10. We applied a diagnostic thoracic splanchnic nerve block under the diagnosis of functional abdominal pain syndrome. Since the block reduced the pain, we applied a radiofrequency thermocoagulation at the T11 and T12 vertebral level. Thereafter, his symptoms improved markedly with pain decreasing to an NRS score of 2-3/10. Hereby, we report a successful management of functional abdominal pain via radiofrequency thermocoagulation of the thoracic splanchnic nerves.

Keyword

Functional abdominal pain syndrome; Radiofrequency thermocoagulation; Thoracic splanchnic nerve block

MeSH Terms

Abdominal Pain
Adult
Electrocoagulation
Humans
Male
Pain Management
Splanchnic Nerves