Is percutaneous microwave ablation of liver tumor safe for patients with renal dysfunction

PurposeTo determine the safety of percutaneous microwave ablation of primary and metastatic liver tumor for patients with renal dysfunction.Materials and methodsFifty primary and metastatic liver tumors in 23 patients with renal dysfunction were retrospectively reviewed at our institution. Renal function was determined by measuring serum creatinine and serum urea before MWA as baseline, within 1 week and at last follow-up. The mean creatinine was 1.69 ± 0.32 mg/dL, 1.71 ± 0.33 mg/dL, and 1.71 ± 0.26 mg/dL respectively, there was not a statistically significant difference between baseline and at last follow-up (P = 0.26). The mean serum urea was 52.52 ± 6.48 mg/dL, 56.55 ± 14.72 mg/dL, and 57.90 ± 16.39 mg/dL respectively, there was not a statistically significant difference between baseline and within 1 week (P = 0.119), between within baseline and at last follow-up (P = 0.090). At the last follow-up examination, all patients had adequately functioning kidneys and did not require any form of renal replacement therapy. This is a small retrospectively study including highly selected patients treated. Therefore, further study should to determine the safety of percutaneous MWA for patients with renal dysfunction in the future.ConclusionsPercutaneous microwave ablation of primary and metastatic liver tumor is no adverse influence on renal function for patients with renal dysfunction in this preliminary series, which can be a minimally invasive alternative therapy.