Ultrasound-guided transhepatic radiofrequency ablation of renal tumors: a safe and effective approach.
OBJECTIVE
This study was designed to determine the feasibility and safety of ultrasound-guided transhepatic radiofrequency ablation (RFA) of masses in the right kidney.


METHODS
Between June 2001 and December 2011, 18 patients who underwent transhepatic renal RFA procedures to treat 19 tumors were retrospectively identified. Complications (Clavien-Dindo classification system) and local tumor control were evaluated for all patients.


RESULTS
Median maximal diameter of the treated renal tumors was 1.9 (range 1.1-4.3) cm. No major complication developed during any of the procedures. No hepatic tumor seeding was identified during imaging follow-up. There was a single technical failure (5.3%). Median cross-sectional imaging follow-up was 28 (range 3-121) months. Primary technique failure (local recurrence) occurred in 1 of the 16 tumors with follow-up imaging (5.3%).


CONCLUSIONS
Percutaneous ultrasound-guided transhepatic RFA of renal neoplasms is technically feasible, effective, and associated with a low rate of complications. The transhepatic approach may allow safe ablation of renal tumors that would otherwise be difficult to treat.
Department of Radiology, Mayo Clinic, 200 1st Street SW, Rochester, MN, 55905, USA, hegg.ryan@mayo.edu.
Ryan M
RM
Hegg
Grant D
GD
Schmit
A Nicholas
AN
Kurup
Adam J
AJ
Weisbrod
Stephen A
SA
Boorjian
Thomas D
TD
Atwell
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D002292:Carcinoma, Renal Cell / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000401:mortality / Q000601:surgery*; D017115:Catheter Ablation / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000379:methods*; D018572:Disease-Free Survival; D005240:Feasibility Studies; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006503:Hepatic Veins / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D006801:Humans; D007680:Kidney Neoplasms / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000401:mortality / Q000601:surgery*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009361:Neoplasm Invasiveness / Q000473:pathology; D009367:Neoplasm Staging; D061214:Patient Safety; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D025321:Surgery, Computer-Assisted / Q000379:methods*; D016019:Survival Analysis; D013997:Time Factors; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D018084:Ultrasonography, Interventional