Hypertonic saline-augmented radiofrequency ablation of the VX-2 tumor implanted in the rabbit kidney: a short-term survival pilot study.

Objectives: The increased incidental detection of small (less than 4 cm) renal tumors has stimulated investigations of minimally invasive therapies. Radiofrequency energy is a relatively new and evolving technology that has been used for a variety of experimental and clinical applications. We evaluate the efficacy of hypertonic interstitial saline-augmented radiofrequency therapy to ablate a malignant VX-2 tumor implanted in a rabbit kidney, as measured by the completeness of tumor destruction and progression to metastasis.