Safety and efficacy of EUS-guided radiofrequency ablation for unresectable pancreatic insulinoma: a single-center experience

Abstract

Purpose Insulinomas are rare, functioning pancreatic neuroendocrine neoplasms (pNEN), whose gold standard therapy is surgical resection. Endoscopic ultrasound-guided radiofrequency ablation (EUS-RFA) is a recent technique that has emerged as minimally invasive therapeutic option for patients with pancreatic lesions not eligible for surgery. In this study, we aimed to describe a series of patients with unresectable pancreatic insulinoma treated with EUS-RFA. Methods This is a single-center, retrospective study including all consecutive patients with functioning pancreatic insulinoma undergoing EUS-RFA for surgical unfitness or surgery refusal, between March 2017 and September 2021. Technical success, radiologic response, and adverse events rate were evaluated. Results A total of 10 patients (mean age: 67.1 ± 10.1 years; F:M 7:3) were enrolled. The mean size of insulinoma was 11.9 ± 3.3 mm. Technical success was achieved in 100% of patients, with an immediate normalization of serum glucose levels. Only one (10%) patient was successfully treated with two RFA sessions. The complete radiologic response within 3 months after EUS-RFA was observed in all patients (100%). Persistent euglycemia was assessed at 6 and 12 months for each treated patient. Three procedure-related early adverse events occurred, including two (20%) cases of mild abdominal pain, and one (10%) case of intraprocedural bleeding with spontaneous hemostasis. No major complications were observed within 48 hours after the procedure. Conclusions Data of this case series suggest that EUS-RFA is a feasible and safe therapeutic approach for unresectable pancreatic insulinomas with long-term efficacy.