Tumors and new endoscopic ultrasound-guided therapies

Figure 1 The tip of the ERBE hybrid cryotherm probe with the active electrical part.

Figure 2 The ERBE flexible probe used for endoscopic ultrasound-guided ablation of the parenchymal organs. The probe, covered with a protection tube, is passed through the operative channel of the echoendoscope.

Figure 3 The cryotherm probe applied in the porcine pancreas: the probe is seen as an hyperechoic line. Initially an hyperechoic elliptic area appears around the distal tip of the probe, surrounded by a hypoechoic border (most likely edema).

Figure 4 Histopathologic section from the first pig: Normal pancreatic tissue (A) surrounds the central treated area (B).

Figure 5 Endoscopic ultrasound-guided puncture of a cystic tumor. The cyst is punctured with a 22-G fine needle under endoscopic ultrasound guidance, the fluid is aspirated, then ethanol is injected into the cyst and re-aspirated after 3-5 min.