Backgrounds. Limited effective
palliative treatments exist for
pancreatic cancer which includes surgery or
chemotherapy.
Radiofrequency ablation (RFA) uses high frequency alternating current to ablate diseased tissue and has been used to treat various
tumors. In this study, we evaluated a prototype probe adjusted to the EUS-needle to perform EUS-RFA to permit coagulative
necrosis in the pancreas. Methods. Five Yucatan pigs underwent EUS-guided
radiofrequency ablation of the head of their pancreas. Using an EUS-needle, RFA was applied with 6 mm and then 10 mm of the probe exposed at specific wattage for preset durations. Results. Only one pig showed moderate levels of
pancreatitis (20% proximal
pancreatitis). The other animals showed much lower areas of tissue damage. In 3 of the 5 pigs, the proximal pancreas showed greater levels of tissue injury than the distal pancreas, consistent with the proximity of the tissue to the procedure site. In 1 pig, both proximal and distal pancreas showed minimal
pancreatitis (1%). There was minimal evidence of
fat necrosis in intra-pancreatic and/or extra-pancreatic adipose tissue. Conclusion. EUS-guided RFA of the pancreatic head with the monopolar probe through a 19-gauge needle was well tolerated in 5 Yucatan pigs and with minimal amount of
pancreatitis.