Efficacy and safety of CT-guided cryoablation after lipiodol marking and embolization for RCC

Abstract

Purpose

To evaluate the safety and efficacy of CT fluoroscopy-guided percutaneous cryoablation (PCA) after lipiodol marking and embolization (LME) in patients with renal cell carcinoma (RCC).

Material and methods

This study included 29 patients (18 men, 11 women; mean age 69 years, range 22–89 years) with 42 RCCs. They underwent CT fluoroscopy-guided PCA after LME between March 2016 and March 2020. The mean tumor diameter was 21 mm (range 7–50 mm). LME was performed with lipiodol and gelatin particles. PCA was considered successful when the ice ball encapsulated the entire tumor and the margin was sufficient on post-ablation CT scans.

Results

LME was successfully performed in 39 of 40 tumors (97.5%). PCA after LME was successful in all 39 of 39 tumors (100%). During the follow-up period (mean 13.9 ± 12.1 months), one of the 39 tumors (2.6%) developed local tumor progression. A significant complication (reversible hypertensive crisis) was encountered in only one of 37 (2.7%) procedures. The mean eGFR was 64.2 ± 26.8 before and 63.3 ± 26.4 after PCA (p = .44).

Conclusion

LME using iodized oil and gelatin particles to improve visualization of the RCC facilitated tumor localization on unenhanced CT images. PCA after LME might be a safe and effective for treatment in patients with RCC.

Keywords:

• Cryoablation
• renal cell carcinoma
• lipiodol marking
• embolization

Declaration of interest

The authors report no conflicts of interest. The authors alone are responsible for the content and writing of the paper.

Correction Statement

This article has been republished with minor changes. These changes do not impact the academic content of the article.