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Thermal Versus Impedance-Based Ablation of Renal Cell Carcinoma: A Meta-analysis

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Abstract

Background

Percutaneous radiofrequency ablation (RFA) of renal carcinoma has become an established treatment modality. However, thermal (TB) versus impedance-based (IB)-RF generators have not been previously compared.

Methods

A literature search on the application of RFA for renal masses using TB or IB-RF generators was performed. The safety, efficacy, and long-term outcomes of TB versus IB-based RFA were assessed using the outcome measures of technical success, local recurrence rate, complications, and preservation of renal function.

Results

Across the 27 included studies, pooled results suggested comparable results for technical success (TB-RFA 98.53 % vs. IB-RFA 98.78 %, P = 0.9813). Clinical efficacy results were also similar across both generators (91.0 % TB-RFA vs. 91.5 % IB-RFA; P = 0.73). At follow-up, no differences in renal function (relative risk [RR] 0.5, 95 % confidence interval [CI] 0.45–5.48), and local recurrence (RR 0.717, 95 % CI 0.49–1.50) were observed. The pooled proportion of overall complication rates was 13.1 % for TB-RFA and 11.5 % for IB-RFA.

Conclusion

No differences in the observed parameters were found either during surgery or at follow-up.

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Conflict of interest

The authors have no conflict of interest to disclose.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. DeGroote School of Medicine, McMaster University, Hamilton, ON, Canada

    Milad Modabber & Jason Martin

  2. Faculty of Health Sciences, McMaster University, Hamilton, ON, Canada

    Sriharsha Athreya

  3. St. Joseph’s Healthcare Hamilton, 50 Charlton Ave. E., Rm. T0112, Hamilton, ON, L8N 4A6, Canada

    Sriharsha Athreya

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  1. Milad Modabber
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Correspondence to Sriharsha Athreya.

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Modabber, M., Martin, J. & Athreya, S. Thermal Versus Impedance-Based Ablation of Renal Cell Carcinoma: A Meta-analysis. Cardiovasc Intervent Radiol 37, 176–185 (2014). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00270-013-0743-7

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