Expanding the therapeutic spectrum for duodenal adenomas: Cryoballoon ablation

Figure 1 Mechanistic comparison between thermal ablation and cryoablation in the duodenum. A: Thermal ablation (argon plasma coagulation/radiofrequency ablation): Heat energy causes non-selective destruction of both the epithelium and the underlying collagen matrix (red zone), increasing the risk of fibrosis, stricture, and perforation in the thin duodenal wall; B: Cryoablation: Rapid freezing creates intracellular ice crystals causing cell death (blue zone), but the collagenous extracellular matrix (scaffolding) remains intact. This preservation allows for healing with reduced risks of deep mural injury. APC: Argon plasma coagulation; RFA: Radiofrequency ablation.