Nephrectomy after radiofrequency ablation-induced ureteropelvic junction obstruction: potential complication and long-term assessment of ablation adequacy.
Little information is available concerning the morbidity of radiofrequency ablation (RFA) or the evolution of an RFA lesion over time. We report our findings in a kidney removed 1 year after RFA of a 2.3-cm renal tumor. After RFA, the patient experienced flank pain, followed by hydronephrosis, ureteropelvic junction obstruction, and eventual loss of function in the treated kidney. Nephrectomy revealed no residual renal cell carcinoma. RFA can completely destroy renal cell carcinoma in situ without histologic evidence of persistence or recurrence for up to 1 year after treatment. Care must be taken to avoid concurrent damage to the collecting system.
Johnson
D Brooke
DB
Clinical Center for Minimally Invasive Urologic Cancer Treatment, Department of Urology, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, Texas 75390-9110, USA.
Saboorian
M Hossein
MH
Duchene
David A
DA
Ogan
Kenneth
K
Cadeddu
Jeffrey A
JA
D017115:Catheter Ablation / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000379:methods / Q000639:trends; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007680:Kidney Neoplasms / Q000209:etiology* / Q000601:surgery*; D007682:Kidney Pelvis / Q000601:surgery*; D008875:Middle Aged; D009392:Nephrectomy / Q000379:methods*; D011183:Postoperative Complications / Q000601:surgery*; D013995:Time; D014517:Ureteral Obstruction / Q000209:etiology* / Q000601:surgery*