Safety and Efficacy of EUS-Guided Ethanol Ablation for Treating Small Solid Pancreatic Neoplasm

Medicine (Baltimore). 2016 Jan;95(4):e2538. doi: 10.1097/MD.0000000000002538.

Abstract

The strategy for treating small borderline malignant pancreatic neoplasms--such as neuroendocrine tumor (NET) and solid pseudopapillary neoplasm (SPN)--is surgical resection. However, pancreatic resection of these lesions still causes significant morbidity. We evaluated the safety and efficacy of EUS-guided ethanol ablation to treat small solid pancreatic neoplasms. A total of 8 patients with small borderline malignant pancreatic neoplasms and co-morbidities who refused surgery were included. We identified 2 cases of nonfunctioning NET, 3 cases of insulinomas, 1 case of gastrinoma, and 2 cases of SPN. EUS-guided ethanol ablation was performed, and treatment outcomes were assessed with clinical symptom, hormone assay, and imaging study. The mean tumor diameter was 15 mm (range, 7-29 mm), and the median volume of injected ethanol was 2.8 mL (range, 1.2-10.5 mL). There was 1 severe acute pancreatitis after EUS-guided ethanol ablation with 20-gauge CPN needle. During follow-up (median 16.5 months), 6 patients achieved treatment success; however, 2 patients (1 nonfunctioning NET and 1 SPN) still had persistent tumors. The patient with persistent SPN underwent surgical resection and the histopathological results showed peripancreatic infiltration with perineural invasion. Among 6 patients who achieved initial treatment success, 1 patient experienced tumor recurrence within 15 months and underwent repeated EUS-guided ethanol ablation. In conclusion, EUS-guided ethanol ablation therapy is a promising option for patients with small solid pancreatic neoplasm. Multiple sessions or surgical interventions may be required if there is a recurrent or persistent mass, and procedure-related adverse events must be carefully monitored.

MeSH terms

  • Ablation Techniques* / adverse effects
  • Adult
  • Aged
  • Aged, 80 and over
  • Anti-Infective Agents, Local / administration & dosage*
  • Endosonography
  • Ethanol / administration & dosage*
  • Female
  • Gastrinoma / surgery*
  • Humans
  • Injections, Intralesional
  • Insulinoma / surgery*
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Neoplasm Recurrence, Local / surgery*
  • Neuroendocrine Tumors / surgery*
  • Pancreatic Neoplasms / pathology
  • Pancreatic Neoplasms / surgery*
  • Reoperation
  • Tumor Burden
  • Ultrasonography, Interventional
  • Young Adult

Substances

  • Anti-Infective Agents, Local
  • Ethanol