Radiofrequency Ablation of Renal Transitional Cell Carcinoma with Protective Cold Saline Infusion

Protection of the Renal Collecting System during Radiofrequency Ablation with Antegrade Cold Dextrose Infusion

“…Antegrade cooling with use of cold saline solution infusion through a previously placed percutaneous nephrostomy tube was previously performed by Schultze et al ( 21 ). They concluded that successful RF ablation was achievable without damage to the collecting system.…”

Solid renal masses: effectiveness and safety of image-guided percutaneous radiofrequency ablation

“…Percutaneous RFA of central and lower pole renal masses is associated with a risk for thermal injury to the collecting system or ureter, which may result in development of a delayed stricture or urine leak. For tumors lying in close approximation to the collecting system or ureter at the level of the renal pelvis, pyeloperfusion has been described as an effective technique for avoiding thermal injury to the collecting system [46][47][48]. This consists of cystoscopic placement of a retrograde ureteral stent, through which cold saline is continuously infused during the process of RF heating.…”

Case Report: Radiofrequency Ablation-Induced Renal-Pelvic Obstruction Resulting in Nephrectomy

“…Similar thermoprotection has been reported with cold retrograde pyeloperfusion in patients undergoing RFA treatment of centrally located tumors. 21,22 The long-term significance of retrograde renal cooling in preventing urinary fistulas and collecting-system obstruction requires further study. More important, the oncologic efficacy of RFA may be affected by retrograde cooling in that optimal temperatures may not be achieved along the urothelium-ablation interface.…”