Effects of percutaneous cryoablation for renal tumor on overall and split renal function

Purpose To evaluate retrospectively the influence of percutaneous cryoablation for small renal tumors on total and affected kidney function and risk factors associated with worsening function of the affected kidney. Materials and methods Between April 2016 and March 2022, 27 patients who underwent cryoablation for small renal tumors at our institution participated in this study, which investigated time-dependent changes in postoperative renal function. We evaluated estimated glomerular filtration rates (eGFRs) and split renal function revealed by scintigraphy using 99 m technetium-mercaptoacetyltriglycine (99mTc-MAG3) before cryoablation and at 1 week, 1 month, and 6 months after cryoablation. Numerous variables were analyzed to assess risk factors for worsening renal function. Results Baseline eGFR (mean ± standard deviation) was 56.5 ± 23.7 mL/min/1.73 m 2 (mean ± SD; range, 20.5–112.5). Mean eGFRs at 1 week, 1 month, and 6 months after cryoablation were 57.4 ± 24.5 (19.1–114.9), 57.1 ± 25.1 (21.5–114.9), and 53.8 ± 23.9 mL/min/1.73 m 2 (20.0–107.5), respectively. Changes were statistically insignificant ( p = 1.0000, = 0.6749, and = 0.0761, respectively). Regarding split renal function, mean baseline contribution of the affected kidney determined by 99mTc-MAG3 was 49.7% ± 6.0% (38.8–63.3%); these rates at 1 week, 1 month, and 6 months after cryoablation were 43.7% ± 8.8 (29.1–70.6%), 46.2% ± 7.7% (32.6–70.3%), and 46.0% ± 8.5% (32.5–67.6%), respectively. Differences from baseline were significant for all periods ( p