title: Percutaneous ablation for small renal masses-imaging follow-up.
abstract: Image-guided percutaneous thermal ablation is a safe and effective nephron-sparing alternative to surgical resection for the treatment of small renal tumors. Assessment of treatment efficacy relies heavily on interval follow-up imaging after treatment. Contrast-enhanced computed tomography (CT) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) both play a pivotal role in evaluating the treatment zone, identifying residual tumor, and detecting early and delayed procedure-related complications. This article discusses a surveillance imaging protocol for patients who undergo percutaneous thermal ablation of renal tumors, and also illustrates the typical appearances of both successfully treated tumors and residual disease on contrast-enhanced CT or MRI. In addition, it discusses the imaging appearance of potential early and delayed treatment-related complications to facilitate their prompt detection and management.
authors.affiliation: Department of Diagnostic Imaging, Rhode Island Hospital, Alpert Medical School, Brown University, Providence, Rhode Island.
authors.forename: Jason D
authors.initials: JD
authors.lastname: Iannuccilli
authors.affiliation: Department of Diagnostic Imaging, Rhode Island Hospital, Alpert Medical School, Brown University, Providence, Rhode Island.
authors.forename: David J
authors.initials: DJ
authors.lastname: Grand
authors.affiliation: Department of Diagnostic Imaging, Rhode Island Hospital, Alpert Medical School, Brown University, Providence, Rhode Island.
authors.forename: Damian E
authors.initials: DE
authors.lastname: Dupuy
authors.affiliation: Department of Diagnostic Imaging, Rhode Island Hospital, Alpert Medical School, Brown University, Providence, Rhode Island.
authors.forename: William W
authors.initials: WW
authors.lastname: Mayo-Smith
keywords: ablation imaging follow-up; thermal ablation renal mass