Title: Endoscopic ultrasound-guided radiofrequency ablation of a pancreatic neuroendocrine tumor
Abstract: Radiofrequency ablation (RFA), a method of achieving tumor necrosis by cell protein denaturation that is induced by heating tissues to above 45 °C, is applied in the treatment of several malignancies. Energy is provided by an RFA current generator, which is connected to an active electrode needle that is placed into the tumor under image guidance. The lesions created have variable diameters, depending on the intensity of the current used, the active tip length, and the treatment duration [1]. Recently a novel RFA needle (EUSRA RF Electrode; STARmed, Koyang, Korea) has been developed for use under endoscopic ultrasound (EUS) guidance [2]. It is an 18G water-cooled needle, with a long active tip of 5 – 30 mm ([Fig. 1]), which is connected to a radiofrequency generator (VIVA RF generator; STARmed).