Endoscopic ultrasonography with fine needle infusion (EUS-FNI) of alcohol is the most reported method for EUS-guided
tumor ablation. Several studies have reported successful EUS-guided ablation of pancreatic
neuroendocrine tumors. However, these
tumors have been relatively small (< 3 cm). In this report, a 50-year-old man with a metastatic
carcinoid tumor with a large porta hepatis mass was referred to our clinic for EUS-guided
ethanol ablation. After two separate EUS-FNI ablations, there was a 36 % reduction in
tumor size (9.0 × 11.4 cm to 6.7 × 9.8 cm) with associated
tumor lysis syndrome.
Chromogranin A levels decreased from 460 to 132 ng/mL. The patient reported complete resolution of
abdominal pain within 2 weeks, but only mild improvement in
flushing and
diarrhea. In conclusion, large metastatic
neuroendocrine tumors can be successfully treated with EUS-guided
ethanol ablation. Evidence-based guidelines are needed with regard to the appropriate volume of
ethanol injected in EUS-guided ablation to promote the efficacy and safety of this emerging procedure.