ENDOSCOPIC ULTRASOUND GUIDED RADIOFREQUENCY ABLATION FOR NEUROENDOCRINE TUMORS: A SINGLE CENTER CASE SERIES

Abstract

Radiofrequency ablation (RFA) has been used to treat abdominal tumors. Pancreatic tissue is particularly sensitive to external insults, including heat, leading to slower adoption of RFA for pancreatic tumors.RFA provided survival benefit in unresectable pancreatic cancer patients. EUS-guided RFA (EUS-RFA) in the pancreas of animals is feasible, with an acceptable incidence of pancreatitis suggesting its use for managing small pancreatic neuroendocrine tumors (PNETs), above all the functions pNets such as insulinomas. The EUS-RFA system consists of a 19-gauge needle electrode, generator, and internal cooling system (EUSRA system Taewoong). The needle electrode is passed under EUS guidance into the target lesion avoiding pancreatic/bile duct. The echogenic needle tip is positioned at the far end inside the lesion. The energy delivery (10 watt) was applied when the needle tip of the electrode was visualized within the margin of lesion on EUS.