MR-Guided Microwave Ablation in T1 Renal Cell Carcinoma: Initial Results in Clinical Routine

Percutaneous tumor ablation is usually performed using computed tomography (CT) or ultrasound (US) guidance, although reliable visualization of the target tumor could be challenging. Magnetic resonance- (MR-) guided ablation provides more reliable visualization of the target tumors and allows multiplanar imaging of the treatment process, making it the modality of choice, in particular if lesions are small.

From March 2016 to January 2018, 32 patients scheduled for percutaneous treatment of T1 RCC underwent MR-guided MWA. Complications were classified according to the Clavien grade. Kaplan-Meier survival estimates were calculated to evaluate progression-free survival (PFS).

Technical success was achieved in all lesions. The mean energy and procedure duration were 61.6 ± 8.7 kJ and 118.2 ± 26.7 min, respectively. The glomerular filtration rate (GFR) dropped rapidly after 1 month of treatment and slowly recovered within three months (P < 0.05). Postoperative pain and fever were the most common adverse events after treatment. Perirenal hematoma, thermal injury of the psoas muscle, and abdominal distension were common complications after MWA, and the incidence rates were 9.4% (3/32), 6.3% (2/32), and 6.3% (2/32), respectively. According to the Clavien grade classification, serious complications include hydrothorax, bowel injury, and renal failure, all of which have a probability of 3.1%. Of note, the three serious complications occurred in one patient. The 1-, 2-, and 3-year PFS rates were 96.9%, 93.8%, and 83.9%, respectively. The mean PFS rates were 33.972 months (95% CI: 33.045, 35.900).

Microwave ablation is feasible under MR guidance and provides effective treatment of RCC in one session.