title: Probe retraction during renal tumor cryoablation: a technique to minimize direct ureteral injury.
abstract: Ureteral injury is a well-known complication of radiofrequency ablation of renal tumors. Ureteral injury with cryoablation seems to be less common, but has been reported. Herein, the authors describe a technique that can be used to avoid direct ureteral injury during cryoablation of renal masses. Initial ice ball formation serves to fix the probe in the target. The mass and kidney can then be retracted away from the ureter to avoid direct involvement with the subsequent ice ball. The authors report three successful example cases, with no significant complications.
authors.affiliation: Department of Radiology, Mayo Clinic, 200 1st St. SW, Rochester, MN 55905, USA. froemming.adam@mayo.edu <froemming.adam@mayo.edu>
authors.forename: Adam
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Froemming
authors.forename: Thomas
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Atwell
authors.forename: Michael
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Farrell
authors.forename: Matthew
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Callstrom
authors.forename: Bradley
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Leibovich
authors.forename: William
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Charboneau
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D003452:Cryosurgery / Q000379:methods*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007680:Kidney Neoplasms / Q000150:complications / Q000601:surgery*; D008297:Male; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014513:Ureter / Q000293:injuries*; D014950:Wounds, Penetrating / Q000517:prevention & control*