Evaluation of a Laparoscopic High Intensity Focused Ultrasound Probe for the Ablation of Small Renal Masses

The Sonatherm device provides both advanced imaging (ultrasound guidance) and high intensity focused ultrasound to target and ablate tumors. It also does not require piercing the tumor with a needle as does cryotherapy (Cryo) and radiofrequency (RF) ablation. Cryo and RF also have high retreatment rates due the finding of untreated tumor on follow-up imaging. Thus, there is reason to hypothesize that Sonatherm with it's real-time ultrasound imaging feedback could replace RF and Cryo for the treatment of small renal masses where the invasiveness of full resection partial nephrectomy is contraindicated due to patient comorbidities.