Radiofrequency Ablation of Renal VX2 Tumors With and Without Renal Artery Occlusion in a Rabbit Model: Feasibility, Therapeutic Efficacy, and Safety

The purpose of this study was to determine the therapeutic efficacy of radiofrequency ablation for treating renal VX2 tumors with and without renal artery occlusion in a rabbit model. Twenty-four New Zealand White rabbits were percutaneously implanted with renal VX2 tumors. Fifteen days after implantation, both kidneys were surgically exposed, and radiofrequency ablation was conducted. Group A (n = 12) was treated with renal artery occlusion, and group B (n = 12) was treated without occlusion. In each rabbit, the serum creatinine was measured to evaluate renal damage after arterial occlusion. Two days after radiofrequency ablation, computed tomography was performed to evaluate the difference in therapeutic results between the two groups. We also compared histopathologic findings after radiofrequency ablation. The mean tumor size was 2.4 cm (range, 1.2–3.1 cm). Radiofrequency ablation of renal tumors was technically feasible in all cases. Complete ablation was achieved in 11 of the 12 rabbits (92%) in group A but in only eight of the 12 rabbits (67%) in group B (P < 0.05). The average time of radiofrequency application was shorter in group A (mean, 547 s) than in group B (mean, 826 s) (P < 0.05). After radiofrequency ablation, the serum creatinine increased from 1.54 to 1.82 mg/dl in group A and from 1.46 to 1.78 mg/dl in group B. However, there was no significant difference between the two groups (P > 0.05). In conclusion, radiofrequency ablation with renal artery occlusion can decrease the duration of treatment and increase the therapeutic efficacy for renal VX2 tumors.