Renal Function After CT-Guided Cryoablation of Small Renal Tumours in Patients with Solitary Kidney: An Analysis of European Multinational Prospective EuRECA Registry

Purpose Treatment of renal cell carcinoma (RCC) in patients with solitary kidneys remains challenging. The purpose of this multicentre cohort study was to explore how renal function is affected by percutaneous image-guided cryoablation in patients with solitary kidneys. Material and Methods Data from the European Registry for Renal Cryoablation database were extracted on patients with RCC in solitary kidneys treated with image-guided, percutaneous cryoablation. Patients were excluded if they had multiple tumours, had received previous treatment of the tumour, or were treated with more than one cryoablation procedure. Pre- and post-treatment eGFR (within 3 months of the procedure) were compared. Results Of 222 patients with solitary kidneys entered into the database, a total of 70 patients met inclusion criteria. The mean baseline eGFR was 55.8 ± 16.8 mL/min/1.73 m 2 , and the mean 3-month post-operative eGFR was 49.6 ± 16.5 mL/min/1.73 m 2 . Mean eGFR reduction was − 6.2 mL/min/1.73 m 2 corresponding to 11.1% ( p = 0.01). No patients changed chronic kidney disease group to severe or end-stage chronic kidney disease (stage IV or V). No patients required post-procedure dialysis. Conclusion Image-guided renal cryoablation appears to be safe and effective for renal function preservation in patients with RCC in a solitary kidney. Following cryoablation, all patients had preservation of renal function without the need for dialysis or progression in chronic kidney disease stage despite the statistically significant reduction in eGFR. Level of Evidence 3 Observational study. Graphical Abstract