Download PDF
Endoscopy 2021; 53(06): 667
DOI: 10.1055/a-1345-8614
Letter to the editor

Reply to Lorenzo et al.

Dongwook Oh  ‡   1
1   Department of Gastroenterology, University of Ulsan College of Medicine, Asan Medical Center, Seoul, South Korea
,
Sung Woo Ko‡   1
2   Department of Gastroenterology, The Catholic University of Korea, Eunpyeong St. Mary's Hospital, Seoul, South Korea
,
Dong-Wan Seo
1   Department of Gastroenterology, University of Ulsan College of Medicine, Asan Medical Center, Seoul, South Korea
,
Seung-Mo Hong
3   Department of Pathology, University of Ulsan College of Medicine, Asan Medical Center, Seoul, South Korea
,
Jin Hee Kim
4   Department of Radiology, University of Ulsan College of Medicine, Asan Medical Center, Seoul, South Korea
,
Tae Jun Song
1   Department of Gastroenterology, University of Ulsan College of Medicine, Asan Medical Center, Seoul, South Korea
,
Do Hyun Park
1   Department of Gastroenterology, University of Ulsan College of Medicine, Asan Medical Center, Seoul, South Korea
,
Sung Koo Lee
1   Department of Gastroenterology, University of Ulsan College of Medicine, Asan Medical Center, Seoul, South Korea
,
Myung-Hwan Kim
1   Department of Gastroenterology, University of Ulsan College of Medicine, Asan Medical Center, Seoul, South Korea
› Author Affiliations
› Further Information
Also available at
    Permissions and Reprints

See also:

Radiofrequency ablation of pancreatic serous cystic neoplasms: feasibility, but for the wrong indicationEndoscopy 2021; 53(06): 666-666
DOI: 10.1055/a-1323-2782

See also:

Endoscopic ultrasound-guided radiofrequency ablation of pancreatic microcystic serous cystic neoplasms: a retrospective study Endoscopy 2021; 53(07): 739-743
DOI: 10.1055/a-1250-7786

We thank Dr. Lorenzo and colleagues for their interest in our study, which involved the follow up of 379 patients with serous cystic neoplasms (SCNs) [1]. During the study period, 60 patients (15.8 %) underwent either surgical resection (n = 40; 10.5 %) or endoscopic treatment (n = 20; 5.3 %). Among these 60 patients, those with an uncertain diagnosis underwent surgery, and only symptomatic patients with pathologically confirmed SCNs (5.3 %) underwent endoscopic treatment.

Although the authors mention the current treatment strategy for SCN (surgical resection or endoscopic emptying), we are not sure that any guideline has yet recommended endoscopic emptying as a type of management [2]. SCNs have very low malignant potential, therefore surgery is not usually indicated [3]; nevertheless, for various reasons, many cases of SCN are surgically resected [4].

We think the current guidelines do not fully reflect the complexity of pancreatic cysts and real-world data. Endoscopic emptying, such as endoscopic ultrasound-guided pancreatic cyst ablation (EUS-PCA), can be considered. However, EUS-PCA is limited in patients with multiseptated pancreatic cystic lesions (PCLs) because the lesions do not permit the uniform application or retention of a liquid ablative agent [5] [6]. In these multiseptated PCLs, such as microcystic SCNs, EUS-RFA can be considered as an alternative for palliation. Even if only a partial response was shown in 62 % of patients without complete response, their symptoms still improved after ablation. Owing to the relatively large size of the cysts (median 50 mm [interquartile range 34–52.5 mm]), the ablation effect was limited and, to avoid complications, we tried RFA only inside the cystic tumors, not at the margin, which also affected the result. If ablation were performed in smaller lesions, a better therapeutic effect would be expected.

We fully agree that RFA should be used in a responsible manner and do not want to overemphasize its use. However, we still believe that, with this trial and the ensuing debate, medicine can make progress.

1 Equal first authors




Publication History

Article published online:
26 May 2021

© 2021. Thieme. All rights reserved.

Georg Thieme Verlag KG
Rüdigerstraße 14, 70469 Stuttgart, Germany

 

  • References

  • 1 Oh D, Ko SW, Seo D-W. et al. Endoscopic ultrasound-guided radiofrequency ablation of pancreatic microcystic serous cystic neoplasms: a retrospective study. Endoscopy 2020; DOI: 10.1055/a-1250-7786.
    Article in Thieme ConnectPubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 2 European Study Group on Cystic Tumours of the Pancreas. European evidence-based guidelines on pancreatic cystic neoplasms. Gut 2018; 67: 789-804
    CrossrefPubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 3 Elta GH, Enestvedt BK, Sauer BG. et al. ACG Clinical Guideline: Diagnosis and management of pancreatic cysts. Am J Gastroenterol 2018; 113: 464-479
    CrossrefPubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 4 Jais B, Rebours V, Malleo G. et al. Serous cystic neoplasm of the pancreas: a multinational study of 2622 patients under the auspices of the International Association of Pancreatology and European Pancreatic Club (European Study Group on Cystic Tumors of the Pancreas). Gut 2016; 65: 305-312
    CrossrefPubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 5 DeWitt J. Endoscopic ultrasound-guided pancreatic cyst ablation. Gastrointest Endosc Clin N Am 2012; 22: 291-302 ix-x
    CrossrefPubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 6 Oh HC, Seo DW, Kim SC. et al. Septated cystic tumors of the pancreas: is it possible to treat them by endoscopic ultrasonography-guided intervention?. Scand J Gastroenterol 2009; 44: 242-247
    CrossrefPubMedGoogle Scholar