EUS-guided ethanol injection of normal porcine pancreas: a pilot study.
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.
Aslanian
Harry
H
Section of Digestive Diseases, Department of Internal Medicine, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, Connecticut 06520-8019, USA.
Salem
Ronald R
RR
Marginean
Celia
C
Robert
Marie
M
Lee
Jeffrey H
JH
Topazian
Mark
M
D000681:Amylases / Q000097:blood; D000818:Animals; D019160:Endosonography; D000431:Ethanol / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D005355:Fibrosis; D007267:Injections / Q000379:methods; D009336:Necrosis; D010179:Pancreas / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000187:drug effects / Q000473:pathology; D013552:Swine
D000431:Ethanol; D000681:Amylases