Objective:

To investigate the efficacy

safety of ultrasound-guided percutaneous radiofrequency ablation (RFA) for the treatment of renal tumors.

Methods:

A total of 31 patients with single renal tumor were treated with RFA

of which 3 cases received the palliative care. The efficacy and complications of RFA were observed. The mean follow-up period was 24.6 months. Contrast-enhanced ultrasound (CEUS) was used to identify residues and recurrences after treatment

assisted by contrast-enhanced CT and M

RI.

Results:

Therapeutic success was achieved in 27 of 28 tumors (96.4%): 22 tumors were completely ablated after one therapy

4 tumors underwent two therapies

and 1 tumor underwent three therapies. 2 of 27 (7.4%) complete-ablated tumors had local recurrence. Tumor size was found to be an important factor affecting therapeutic success (

P

=0.017). The tumor diameter of 3.5 cm could be used as the threshold to predict RFA success (

P

=0.021)

but the tumor size was not related to local recurrence (

P

=0.129). Moreover

patients age

gender and tumor location had no correlation with either RFA success rate or local recurrence rate. 11 out of 27 (35.5%) patients developed self-limited complications

and no serious complications were observed.

Conclusion:

Ultrasound-guided percutaneous RFA is safe and effective in the treatment of renal tumors

especially in those with tumor diameter 3.5 cm. Nevertheless

further large comparative studies are needed to validate this approach.