Complications of ultrasound-guided percutaneous microwave ablation of renal cell carcinoma

PURPOSE: To retrospectively review the complications of ultrasound (US)-guided percutaneous microwave ablation (MWA) of renal cell carcinoma. PATIENTS AND METHODS: In this study, 101 patients with 105 tumors seen from April 2006 to Feb 2014 were enrolled retrospectively. The patients were treated with US-guided percutaneous MWA and were followed up with contrast-enhanced US and computed tomography or magnetic resonance imaging at 1, 3, and 6 months and every 6 months thereafter. RESULTS: Technical success was achieved in 99 of 105 tumors (94.3%). The median follow-up time was 25 (range 1.13–93.23) months. Among the 105 tumors, 26 complications in 24.8% of patients and 23 minor complications (Clavien–Dindo Grades I and II) in 21.9% of patients were noted, accounting for 88.5% of all complications. All the minor complications were cured. Three major complications (Clavien–Dindo Grade ≥III) occurred in 2.9% of the patients, accounting for 11.5% of all complications: hydrothorax in two patients and bowel injury in one. The two patients who had hydrothorax post-MWA had a history of cirrhosis and were treated with catheter drainage. The bowel injury was treated surgically. In all patients, the changes in serum creatinine and urea nitrogen levels from before to after the procedure were small. CONCLUSION: US-guided percutaneous MWA is a beneficial treatment for renal cell carcinoma in selected patients; however, if the renal tumor is close to the bowel, or the patient has serious comorbidities or has undergone abdominal surgery, the procedure must be performed more carefully.