title: Percutaneous renal cryoablation of angiomyolipomas in patients with solitary kidneys.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To determine the feasibility and safety of performing percutaneous cryoablation of angiomyolipomas (AMLs) in patients with solitary kidneys.
  
  
  METHODS
  Three patients with AMLs involving a solitary kidney underwent computed tomography-guided percutaneous cryoablation. All lesions were located in the lateral/posterior part of the kidney, allowing for safe access from the skin for cryoprobe insertion. Intravenous sedation and local anesthesia were used for each patient. Follow-up computed tomography or magnetic resonance imaging and physical examination, urinalysis, and serum blood urea nitrogen/creatinine measurement were performed to evaluate for lesion recurrence and to evaluate the safety profile.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Three tumors (1.2-2.5 cm) were treated. The patients experienced minimal to no pain during percutaneous cryoablation, and all were discharged the same day. No procedural or postoperative complications were noted. During the follow-up period (5-36 months), the first 2 patients had no radiographic evidence of recurrence. Initial follow-up imaging of the third patient displayed persistent AMLs.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  A review of the published data suggested the necessity to prophylactically treat AMLs of solitary kidneys. In this series, percutaneous cryoablation proved a safe and effective method for treating these lesions. This ultimately provides a minimally invasive option for similar patients, potentially avoiding an open surgical procedure or the risk of hemorrhage.
authors.affiliation: Department of Urology, Louisiana State University Health Science Center-Shreveport, Shreveport, Louisiana, USA.
authors.forename: Stephen C
authors.initials: SC
authors.lastname: Johnson
authors.forename: Stephen
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Graham
authors.forename: Horacio
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: D'Agostino
authors.forename: Donald A
authors.initials: DA
authors.lastname: Elmajian
authors.forename: W Bruce
authors.initials: WB
authors.lastname: Shingleton
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D018207:Angiomyolipoma / Q000601:surgery*; D003452:Cryosurgery; D005240:Feasibility Studies; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007680:Kidney Neoplasms / Q000601:surgery*; D008875:Middle Aged; D009392:Nephrectomy / Q000379:methods*