Radio Frequency Ablation of Renal Cell Carcinoma via Image Guided Needle Electrodes

Radio frequency ablation of small focal neoplasms has pre viously been demonstrated in other organs, such as the liver and bone.1, 2 To our knowledge we report the first completely treated case of radio frequency ablation of renal cell carci noma via percutaneous placement of a needle electrode under ultrasound guidance. CASE REPORT An 84-year-old man was diagnosed with a solid renal mass and he refused open surgery. Computerized tomography (CT) demonstrated mass enhancement with iodinated contrast material, consistent with solid renal cell carcinoma (fig. 1). Three years later the mass had enlarged to 3.5 cm. The patient continued to refuse surgery but he consented to per cutaneous radio frequency ablation. Institutional review board permission was obtained before the procedure.