Endoscopic ultrasound-guided ethanol ablation of pancreatic neuroendocrine tumours: A case study and literature review

Figure 1 Abdominal magnetic resonance imaging demonstrating a round, well-demarcated nodule of the pancreatic tail. The 22 mm lesion (calipers) shows highly vascularised peripheral tissue.

Figure 2 Endoscopic ultrasound appearances before (A) and after (B) treatment (white arrow).

Figure 3 Computed tomography scan showing thin residual hypervascular tissue (white arrow) two months after the first treatment.

Figure 4 Twenty-four months follow-up. A: Computed tomography scan showing absence of hypervascular tissue around a small hypodense area (white arrow); B: Endoscopic ultrasound scan of the pancreatic tail demonstrating poorly defined hyperechoic tissue (fibrosis) with posterior shadow (caliper).

Figure 5 Reported endoscopic ultrasound-guided ethanol ablation procedures over time. Literature review showed a progressive increase of performed procedures from 2006 to 2015. Cases described in abstract form by Paik et al[20] were not included in the final results analysis.