title: Percutaneous cryoablation of large renal masses: technical feasibility and short-term outcome.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  This retrospective study was performed to assess the feasibility, safety, and short-term outcome of percutaneous cryoablation of large solid renal tumors.
  
  
  METHODS
  We reviewed 40 percutaneous cryoablation procedures performed on 40 patients with renal tumors 3 cm in diameter or larger. All patients underwent cryoablation with CT monitoring. Technical success was defined by extension of the ice ball beyond the tumor margin and postablation imaging findings of no contrast enhancement in the area encompassing the original tumor. Complications meeting grade 3 of the National Cancer Institute Common Terminology Criteria for Adverse Events were recorded.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Mean +/- SD tumor diameter was 4.2 +/- 1.1 cm (range, 3.0-7.2 cm). Technical success was achieved in 38 (95%) of 40 cryoablation procedures. There was one grade 3 adverse event (3% rate of significant complications). Follow-up images obtained 3 months or longer (mean, 9 +/- 6 months; range, 3-22 months) after ablation were available for 26 (65%) of the 40 patients. No local tumor recurrence or tumor progression was found.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Percutaneous cryoablation of renal tumors measuring 3 cm or larger is technically feasible and relatively safe. Short-term follow-up results are encouraging, although long-term follow-up is necessary to assess true treatment efficacy.
authors: Department of Radiology, Mayo Clinic, 200 1st St. SW, Rochester, MN 55902, USA. atwell.thomas@mayo.edu
authors: Thomas D
authors: TD
authors: Atwell
authors: Michael A
authors: MA
authors: Farrell
authors: Matthew R
authors: MR
authors: Callstrom
authors: J William
authors: JW
authors: Charboneau
authors: Bradley C
authors: BC
authors: Leibovich
authors: Igor
authors: I
authors: Frank
authors: David E
authors: DE
authors: Patterson
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D003452:Cryosurgery / Q000379:methods*; D005240:Feasibility Studies; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007680:Kidney Neoplasms / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000473:pathology / Q000628:therapy*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009367:Neoplasm Staging; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed; D016896:Treatment Outcome