Dr. Robert Sachner of Bnai Zion Medical Center in Haifa, Israel performs percutaneous cryoablation of kidney tumors using the ProSense™ Cryoablation System by IceCure Medical.
The patient being treated with cryoablation is a 79-year-old man with a history of extensive comorbidities including diabetes mellitus, hypertension, and ischemic heart disease. After experiencing abdominal pain, diarrhea, and extreme weight loss the patient was evaluated by a CT scan. The evaluation revealed an asymptomatic 3.3 cm intrapolar upping enhancing kidney lesion with suspected neoplasm. An additional PET CT scan revealed another 1.5 cm lesion in the lower pole of the same kidney. It was therefore decided that both lesions would be treated at the same time using the ProSense Cryoablation System.
Since the patient had two kidney lesions, two ProSense Cryoablation Systems were utilized during the procedure. Two cryoprobes were used, as were two introducers. Prior to the start of the cryotherapy of the two kidney lesions, biopsies were performed. The kidney tumors cryoablation was performed under CT guidance so Dr. Sachner could be sure the cryoprobes were in the correct location, that the ice ball grew to the desired size to fully engulf and ablate the tumors, and so that he could ensure the ice ball did not grow to impact other tissue and organs close to the tumors.
Dr Sachner illustrates the ease of use of the ProSense Cryoablation System by inserting a small dewar of liquid nitrogen into the system, attaching the cryoprobes to the system’s flexible hose, and performing a quick functional test to make sure the cryoprobe is performing as it should prior to beginning treatment. The kidney tumors were treated with a freeze – thaw – freeze cycle to maximize the cellular destruction and grow the ice balls to the desired size.
The procedure was considered to be successful and both doctor and patient were satisfied by the results. In the six weeks following the procedure, hemodynamic and functional blood exams were within normal range. Sonographic evaluation was completed with no hydronephrosis or additional suspected lesions. The patient was expected to have CTU 6 months following the cryoablation procedure.