Pilot experience with real-time ultrasound guided percutaneous renal mass cryoablation

Purpose: We describe our pilot experience with percutaneous cryoablation of renal masses using real-time sonography. Materials and Methods: Three patients presented. with 4 renal masses in 4 kidneys, which enhanced with contrast administration by computerized tomography or magnetic resonance imaging criteria. Renal neoplasm cryoablation was performed using general anesthesia with 17 gauge cryoneedles percutaneously placed into the renal tumor under real-time sonographic guidance. Followup cross-sectional imaging was performed 6 to 7 weeks following cryoablation in all patients. Results: No perioperative complications were noted. All patients were discharged home within 24 hours of the procedure and postoperative pain was controlled with oral normarcotic medications. Followup cross-sectional imaging indicated that the lesions shrank an average 63% +/- 15% from initial pretreatment volume. Importantly none of the lesions showed contrast enhancement by computerized tomography or magnetic resonance imaging criteria. Conclusions: Our initial experience shows that percutaneous, sonographically guided renal neoplasm cryoablation can be a safe method for treating renal masses.