Percutaneous Cryoablation of Kidney Tumours

Cryoablation goal is to reduce temperature of the target tissue below lethal temperature of -20°C while protecting neighbouring vital structures. It is a steady-state transfer of energy that depends only on the temperature difference, which is relatively stable (i.e., tissue temperature [37°C] versus probe temperature [approximately −140°C] This procedure involves introducing a number of these probes under image guidance to target lesion.

The Cryoablation was performed under deep sedation. The whole procedure including anaesthesia was successfully completed in under 2 hours with no complications.

Patient made quick recovery post procedure and described minimal discomfort related to probes placement site. He developed no haematuria and started eating and drinking after procedure. Patient was discharged next morning. He was later reviewed in interventional radiology clinic a few days later where he remain well with out pain apart of some skin bruising at the probs access site that will resolve spontaneously.

• One advantage of cryoablation over RFA and microwave ablation is that the tissue energy transfer characteristics do not appreciably change with temperature. In contrast, in the case of RFA, tissue desiccates at high temperature and no further transfer of energy is possible. This means size of ablation zone can be effectively determined, controlled and increased in Cryoablation much better than heat based ablation.
• Second advantage is Cryoablation has shown to be associated with significantly lower post procedure pain compared to other heat based ablation or even traditional surgery.
• Third advantage is that this treatment can be accurately target lesion utilising cross sectional image guidance thus ability to preserve non cancerous renal tissue.
• Four advantage this procedure require few mm skin holes to allow these probes to reach target lesion which had better cosmetic result when compared to traditional surgery.

At AHD Dr Alfahad has the expertise in this field of treatment. He performed many successful Cryoablation therapies abroad and has been working with his multidisciplinary colleagues to develop this service at AHD.

This treatment will benefit many patient in the region and will be part of variety of therapeutic options available to our patients at AHD.