Radiofrequency ablation of renal tumour in the supine position using a dorsal-space mat.

Abstract

Radiofrequency ablation (RFA) of renal tumours is one of the major procedures in nonvascular interventional radiology, but it is difficult to perform in patients who are limited to the supine position. In this technical note, we present 2 cases in which RFA of renal tumours was performed via a dorsal approach in patients in the supine position by using a mat with a space for the procedure. Three polyorefin mats, 15 cm high and of different lengths, were arranged on the CT table to provide space for the procedure. Each patient was placed supine on these mats, and RFA of the renal tumour was performed via a dorsal approach under CT fluoroscopy. Two patients successfully underwent RFA via the dorsal approach with no postural distress during the 40- and 75-min procedures. There were no complications related to the procedure. The dorsal approach using a mat with space for the procedure is particularly useful for performing renal tumour RFA in patients with limited supine positioning. The method of creating a space on the patient's dorsal side by arranging 3 polyorefin mats is reproducible in terms of simplifying the approach and is expected to be applied to other nonvascular interventions.