US-guided application of a new hybrid probe in human pancreatic adenocarcinoma: an ex vivo study.
BACKGROUND
Ablative therapies such as radiofrequency and cryotechnology are widely used in oncological intervention but not in the pancreatic field because of their high operative risks. A new flexible bipolar ablation device (Cryotherm probe [CTP]) was developed combining radiofrequency and cryotechnology.


OBJECTIVE
To evaluate the efficacy of the CTP in destroying neoplastic tissue of explanted pancreatic tumors of patients with pancreatic adenocarcinoma.


METHODS
Ex vivo clinical study.


METHODS
Inpatient hospital setting.


METHODS
This study involved 16 explanted pancreatic tumors from 16 patients.


METHODS
CTP application was performed on explanted pancreatic tumors. Anatomic specimens were divided into 4 groups; each group received a predefined application time of 120 to 600 seconds.


METHODS
The coagulation diameter (short axis) perpendicular to the device's longitudinal axis was used as the primary outcome measure.


RESULTS
All pancreatic specimens showed histological signs of coagulative necrosis. There was a positive correlation between the short axis of the obtained necrosis and duration of application (r = 0.74).


CONCLUSIONS
This study was an ex vivo study with all limitations typical of this kind of study.


CONCLUSIONS
The CTP is effective in destroying neoplastic pancreatic tissue, creating an ablation zone, the extent of which is related to the duration of application.
Petrone
Maria Chiara
MC
Division of Gastroenterology and Gastrointestinal Endoscopy, Vita-Salute San Raffaele University, Scientific Institute San Raffaele, 20132 Milan, Italy.
Arcidiacono
Paolo Giorgio
PG
Carrara
Silvia
S
Albarello
Luca
L
Enderle
Markus D
MD
Neugebauer
Alexander
A
Boemo
Cinzia
C
Doglioni
Claudio
C
Testoni
Pier Alberto
PA
D000230:Adenocarcinoma / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery*; D017115:Catheter Ablation / Q000295:instrumentation*; D003452:Cryosurgery / Q000295:instrumentation*; D004867:Equipment Design; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009336:Necrosis / Q000473:pathology; D010179:Pancreas / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery; D010190:Pancreatic Neoplasms / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery*; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014463:Ultrasonography