First percutaneous computed tomography-guided radiofrequency ablation of renal tumor in horseshoe kidney

Objective: To report the first case of percutaneous radiofrequency ablation of a tumor in a horseshoe kidney.

Materials and methods: A 75-year-old man presented with a 3-cm solid mass on the isthmus of a horseshoe kidney. The tumor was discovered incidentally on a routine computed tomography scan performed during follow-up of a colon carcinoma treated with open hemicolectomy. The patient presented a high anesthetic risk (American Society of Anesthesiologists score of 3) because of a comorbid cardiovascular condition. Biopsy of the mass revealed type I papillary carcinoma. We performed percutaneous radiofrequency ablation using a posterior approach.

Results: No complications occurred, and postoperative computed tomography 3 months after the procedure showed no significant contrast enhancement in the treated area.

Conclusions: To our knowledge, this is the first case of a tumor in a horseshoe kidney satisfactorily treated with percutaneous radiofrequency ablation. The technique could represent an alternative to traditional surgery in selected cases.