Efficacy of contrast-enhanced ultrasound-guided percutaneous microwave ablation treatment of renal carcinomas

Objective To assess the safety and efficacy of contrast-enhanced ultrasound (CEUS)-guided percutaneous microwave ablation (MWA) treatment of renal carcinomas. Methods Fifteen patients with 17 renal tumors were retrospectively analyze. The patients’ ages were in the range of 46-80 years (65.2±9.4 years), the tumor diameters were in the range of 1.1-3.9 cm (2.3±0.7 cm) and biopsy pathological results were renal cell carcinoma. All of the tumors were inconspicuous on conventional ultrasound, while conspicuous on contrast enhanced-computed tomography (CT) or magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). Seventeen tumors were ablated under the guidance of CEUS. Results All tumors were successfully visualized on CEUS and MWA was performed under CEUS guidance. The durations of energy application for each tumor were in the range of 5-11 min (mean ± SD 7.3±2.2 min). The mean session of CEUS-guided MWA for each tumor was 1.1±0.3. All patients were followed up for 3-49 months (median, 17 months) to observe the therapeutic effects and complications. There was no local tumor progress and major complication. Conclusion CEUS-guided PMWA is a safety, efficient and feasible therapy for patients with RCC which is inconspicuous on conventional US.