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Review
. 2019 Jan-Feb;32(1):39-45.
doi: 10.20524/aog.2018.0331. Epub 2018 Dec 3.

Endoscopic ultrasound-guided ablation of pancreatic cystic neoplasms: ready for prime time?

Affiliations
Review

Endoscopic ultrasound-guided ablation of pancreatic cystic neoplasms: ready for prime time?

Andrew Ofosu et al. Ann Gastroenterol. 2019 Jan-Feb.

Abstract

With the increase in the use of cross-sectional diagnostic imaging, there has been a concomitant rise in the rate of detected pancreatic cystic lesions. Recent years have seen the rise of newly developed therapeutic modalities to treat pancreatic lesions via ablation. Specifically, through the use of endoscopic ultrasound-guided therapy, endoscopists can potentially ablate these lesions safely and with minimally invasive techniques. In this manuscript we review 4 major endoscopic ultrasound-guided ablative therapies: radiofrequency ablation, ethanol injection, chemo ablation, and cryoablation. We also review the efficacy and safety of these techniques and future directions in the management of cystic pancreatic lesions.

Keywords: Endoscopic ultrasound; ethanol ablation; pancreatic neoplasm ablation; radiofrequency ablation.

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Conflict of interest statement

Conflict of Interest: None.

Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
Thick-walled pancreatic pseudocyst. This lesion would not be considered for endoscopic ablation
Figure 2
Figure 2
Septated mucinous cystic neoplasm of the pancreas. This lesion could be considered for endoscopic ablation
Figure 3
Figure 3
Endoscopic ultrasound fine-needle aspiration needle in a septated mucinous cystic neoplasm of the pancreas. The needle could be used to both aspirate the cyst contents and inject an ablative agent

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