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EUS-guided ethanol injection of normal porcine pancreas: a pilot study
Harry Aslanian1, Ronald R Salem, Celia Marginean
1Section of Digestive Diseases, Department of Internal Medicine, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, Connecticut 06520-8019, USA.
Background:
Ethanol injection is a potential means of EUS-guided pancreatic tissue ablation. The effects of injected ethanol on normal pancreas are unknown.
Methods:
Transgastric ethanol injection of the body and the tail of normal porcine pancreas was performed under EUS guidance in 8 anesthetized Yorkshire pigs: 98% ethanol was injected in 4 animals, and 50% ethanol was injected in 4 animals. Serum amylase levels were monitored, and EUS was repeated on day 7. Gross and histologic examination of the pancreas was performed on day 7.
Results:
All 8 animals tolerated ethanol injection without signs of distress. An increase in amylase levels was seen in all animals. Focal areas, 2 to 6 mm, of inflammation, necrosis, and fibrosis were observed after 50% ethanol injection. Larger (8-30 mm) areas of inflammation, necrosis, and fibrosis were seen after 98% ethanol injection, as well as one fluid collection and one colonic stricture.
Conclusions:
Injection of 50% ethanol into normal porcine pancreas results in focal inflammation, necrosis, and fibrosis at the injection site. Ethanol injection (98%) produces larger areas of inflammation, fibrosis, and necrosis, with local complications of pancreatitis.
