1) neurolytic celiac plexus block : a procedure to paralyse the nerve structure in the upper abdomen to prevent transmission of pain signals to brain. it`s commonly used to treat pain from the upper abdominal cancer that does not respond to drugs.
2) epidural block : an injection of pain medication into the epidural space, which is the area around the spinal cord & spinal nerves. Medications injected include local anesthetics (drugs like Novocain) and steroids (the strongest anti-flammatory drugs). These medicines act on the nerves to stop them from transmitting pain signals. Epidurals are best known for being given to pregnant women during labour. The needle is placed in about the same location, but the medication injected is different than those used for other pain. Epidurals are given in such a way that the medications spread out and cover all the nerve roots in the lower back or the neck, instead of targeting a specific nerve.
3) diclofenac : is a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) taken to reduce inflammation and as an analgesic to reduce pain. Diclofenac mechanism of action decreases prostaglandins in the epithelium of the stomach, making it more sensitive to corrosion by gastric acid hence the possibility of gastric pain upon taking this medication.4) teprenone : widely used in japan for treating gastric ulcer and inflammation. It seem that teprenone effectively protects the gastric muscosa by acting on various mechanisms such as increasing the gastric blood flow, secretion of gastric mucus, growth factors (basic fibroblast growth factor) and prostaglandins.
5) CT : computed tomograohy (CT) also known as a CAT scan. It`s an imaging method that uses x-rays to create cross-sectional pictures of the body. The patient is asked to lie on a narrow table that slides into the centre of the CT scanner. Depending on what is being looked at, the patient may need to lie on his stomach, back or side. Once inside the scanner, the machine`s x-ray beam rotates around the patient. Small detectors inside the scanner measure the amount of x-rays that make it through the part of the body being studied. A computer takes this information and uses it to create several individual images, called slices. Three-dimensional models of organs can be created by stacking the individual slices together. The patient must be still during the exam, because movement causes blurred images. The patient may be asked to hold his breath for short periods of time. Generally, complete scans take only a few minutes.
6) contrast CT : certain CT exams require a special dye, called contrast, to be delivered into the body before the test starts. Contrast can highlight specific areas inside the body, which creates a clearer image. Contrast may be delivered using an intravenous line (IV) that is placed in a vein in the hard or forearm. Contrast may also be given through the rectum using an enema, or as a liquid that is swallowed before the scan. The contrast liquid may taste chalky, although some are flavoured to make it taste a little better. The contrast eventually passes out of the blood through the stool.
7) MPR (multiplanar reconstruction) : a stack of axial CT images represent anatomic information in three dimensions. However, the axial display is the most common. CT with multiplanar reconstruction provides a clear multi-dimensional view.
8) pancreatic stones : stones in the pancreas are usually the result of a condition known as chronic pancreatitis. This is a recurring inflammation of the pancreas that most often occurs in people who consume a lot of alcohol over a long period of time. It can cause multiple complications, like diabetes (from a failure of the pancreas to produce insulin), diarrhea (because of the impared realease of pancreatic digestive enzymes) and most commonly chronic, debilitating abdominal pain. The pain comes from inflammation of the nerves within the pancreas and obstruction of the pancreatic duct. Pancreatic stones occur when a combination of calcium and protein plugs the duct. Such stones can be removed from the pancreatic duct through a tube threaded down the throat and into th digestive tract, using small catheters to pull the stones out or break them apart.
9) lymph node : an organ consisting of many types of cells that are found throughout the body and act as filters or traps for foreign particles. They contain white blood cells, which are important in the proper functioning of the immune system. Lymph nodes become inflamed or enlarges under various conditions, which may range from trivial infections, such as sore throat, to life-threatening conditions such as cancer. The condition of the lymph nodes play a huge part in determining the stages of cancer, which decided the treatment option for the patient, and for determining the prognosis of the patient.
10) post-hepatic jaundice : also called obstructive jaundice. Jaundice is a yellow discolouration of the skin, sclerae (whites of the eyes) and mucous membranes caused by the hyperbilirubinemia (increased levels of bilirubin in the blood). It is caused by an interruption to the drainage of bile in the biliary system. The most common causes of gallstones in the common bile duct and pancreatic cancer in the head of the pancreas. The presence of pale stools and dark urine suggests an obstructive or post-hepatic cause as normal feces get their colour from bile pigments. Jaundice comes from the french word jaune, which means yellow.
11) percutaneous biliary drainage : a technically simple procedure that causes little discomfort, but relieves the symptoms of simultaneous intestinal and biliary obstruction, which is rare but agonising complication of abdominal cancer. Applied directly to the skin, the medications reduce the inflammation and allow the flow of bile to be restored to the body. Precutaneoud means through the unbroken skin and refers to medications applied directly to the skin (creams, or oitments) or in time-release forms (skin patches).
12) stages of cancer : if the doctor finds pancreatic cancer, the patient will have more tests to find out if the cancer has spread from the pancreas to the tissues around it or to other parts of the body. This process of testing is called staging, and it helps the doctor plan the patient`s treatment. The following stages are used to describe exocrine cancer of the pancreas;
stage 1 : cancer is found only in the pancreas itself and not in other organs.
stage 2 : cancer has spread to nearby organs, such as the duodenum or bile duct, but has not entered the lymph nodes.
stage 3 : cancer has spread to lymph nodes near the pancreas, the cancer may or may not have spread to nearby organs.
stage 4a : cancer has spread to organs, such as the stomach, spleen, and colon, that are near the pancreas, but it has not spread to distant organs, such as liver or lungs.
stage 4b : cancer has spread to organs, such as the stomach, spleen, or colon, that are near the pancreas, or to places far away from the pancreas, such as the liver or lungs.