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Updated: Aug 18, 2026
Thermal Ablation for the Treatment of Abdominal Tumors
Published on: March 7, 2011
Percutaneous radiofrequency ablation of renal cell carcinoma: preliminary results
A H Mahnken1, D Rohde, D Brkovic
1Department of Diagnostic Radiology, Aachen University of Technology, Germany. mahnken@rad.rwth-aachen.de
Purpose:
To report early results in percutaneous radiofrequency ablation (RFA) of renal cell carcinoma with an expandable RF probe.
Material And Methods:
In 14 patients (9 male, mean age 67.9 +/- 9.9 years) CT-guided percutaneous radiofrequency ablation of 15 renal cell carcinomas was performed using an expandable LeVeen probe (diameter 2-4 cm) and a 200-watt generator under general anesthesia and CT control. Tumors exceeding a diameter of 3 cm (n=6) were embolized within 24 h prior to RFA. Average tumor size was 3.0 +/- 1.0 cm.
Results:
RFA was technically successful in all patients, resulting in a mean size of necrosis of 3.7 +/- 0.7 cm. With the exception of one reno-cutaneous fistula, which was successfully treated conservatively, no major complications were observed. No local recurrence was observed (follow-up: 13.9 +/- 12.4 months) while extrarenal tumor progression occurred in four patients.
Conclusion:
Our preliminary data suggest that nephron sparing percutaneous RFA of renal tumors with an expandable RF probe is safe and effective.
