Percutaneous cryoablation of large renal masses: technical feasibility and short-term outcome.
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.
Atwell
Thomas D
TD
Department of Radiology, Mayo Clinic, 200 1st St. SW, Rochester, MN 55902, USA. atwell.thomas@mayo.edu
Farrell
Michael A
MA
Callstrom
Matthew R
MR
Charboneau
J William
JW
Leibovich
Bradley C
BC
Frank
Igor
I
Patterson
David E
DE
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