Efficacy of transhepatic radiofrequency ablation of renal cell carcinoma

The purpose of this report is to describe an alternative, using a transhepatic route, to CT guidance of radiofrequency ablation of renal masses.

In four supine patients, radiofrequency ablation of a right renal mass was performed under sonographic guidance. The radiofrequency ablation needle was placed transhepatically into the mass. Color sonography was useful in guiding needle placement and avoiding intervening vessels in the liver and kidney. This technique may be used in selected patients as an alternative to CT guidance of radiofrequency ablation.