Ultrasound-guided transhepatic radiofrequency ablation of renal tumors: A safe and effective approach

Purpose: 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.