EUS-Guided Pancreatic Injection of Cyst (EPIC) Trial
Cystic lesions of the kidney, thyroid, and liver are commonly treated with ethanol
injections into the cyst cavity. The contact with ethanol results in rapid elimination of
epithelial cells lining cyst cavities with few complications or pain. The majority of cysts
become smaller and some are completely eliminated Depending on the type of cyst and tissue,
some cysts can be completely ablated with ethanol. Although malignant masses arising from
the pancreas have been safely injected with ethanol, there are no reports of injection of
pancreatic cystadenomas. The ability to ablate cystadenomas of the pancreas would provide
the first non-surgical treatment for these pre-malignant lesions of the pancreas.
Over the past two years we have conducted a pilot study of EUS-guided ethanol lavage of
pancreatic cysts (2001-P-000358/5). 18 patients have undergone the procedure without
evidence of pancreatitis, pain, or infection following the procedure. Initially, low
concentrations of ethanol were used (5%) and over the course of the study, the concentration
of the ethanol used for lavage has been increased to 60%. Although the patients have not
undergone careful follow-up evaluations, it appears that at least 4 of the patients have had
resolution of the cyst.
This is a prospective, randomized, blinded, controlled trial of ethanol ablation in 50
patients with a pancreatic cystadenoma. Patients with a pancreatic cyst (1-5cm in diameter)
capable of safely undergoing endoscopy with conscious sedation will be candidates. Exclusion
criteria include: coagulopathy (INR>1.5, PTT>100, platelets of< 50k), active infection of
the cyst or unstable cardio-pulmonary disease (active angina, home O2, or pulmonary edema)
will be excluded.
At the time of diagnostic cyst aspiration, the patient will be randomized to either saline
lavage or ethanol (70%) lavage. During the exam, the cyst will be imaged with ultrasound,
measured and aspirated. The cyst contents will be evaluated with cytologic evaluation, CEA,
and amylase. After cyst aspiration, the cyst will be lavaged with either saline or ethanol
for 5 minutes. At completion of the lavage, the cyst contents will be evacuated. The patient
will be provided the results of the cyst fluid analysis and may elect to undergo surgical
resection or additional lavage treatments. At the time of resection, the cyst and
surrounding pancreas will be resected for histologic analysis. The degree of epithelial
ablation will be determined with histologic sectioning and the cysts lavaged with ethanol
will be compared to those cysts lavaged with saline. If the patient chooses not to have a
surgical resection, the patient may return for a follow-up EUS exam at two additional
monthly intervals with cyst aspiration and additional ethanol lavage. Those patients
receiving saline during the initial treatment session will be crossed-over to ethanol.
Interventional
Allocation: Randomized, Endpoint Classification: Efficacy Study, Intervention Model: Crossover Assignment, Masking: Double Blind (Subject, Investigator), Primary Purpose: Treatment
William R. Brugge, MD
Principal Investigator
Massachusetts General Hospital
United States: Institutional Review Board
2003-P-001745
NCT00233038
January 2005
March 2008
Name | Location |
---|---|
Indiana University Medical Center | Indianapolis, Indiana 46202 |