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In the last decades an increased incidence of new renal tumor cases has been for clinically localized, small tumors <2.0 cm. This trend for small, low-stage tumors is the reflection of earlier diagnosis primarily as a result of the widespread and increasing use of non-invasive abdominal imaging modalities such as ultrasound, computerized tomography, and magnetic resonance imaging. Renal tumors are often diagnosed in elderly patients, with medical comorbidities whom the risk of surgical complications may pose a greater risk of death than that due to the tumor itself. In these patients, unsuitable for surgical approach, thermal ablation represents a valid alternative to traditional surgery. Thermal ablation is a less invasive, less morbid treatment option thanks to reduced blood loss, lower incidence of complications during the procedure and a less long convalescence. At present, the most widely used thermal ablative techniques are cryoablation, radiofrequency ablation and microwave ablation (MWA). MWA offers many benefits of other ablation techniques and offers several other advantages: higher intratumoral temperatures, larger tumor ablation volumes, faster ablation times, the ability to use multiple applicators simultaneously, optimal heating of cystic masses and tumors close to the vessels and less procedural pain. This review aims to provide the reader with an overview about the state of the art of microwave ablation for renal tumors and to cast a glance on the new development trends of this technique.

Purpose: The aim of this study was to assess outcomes in a group of patients with scapholunate dissociation treated with stabilisation surgery (Brunelli-Stanley) and to compare arthrography with multidetector computed tomography (MDCT) with conventional radiography, the gold standard in the follow-up of wrist surgery., Materials and Methods: Twelve patients (13 wrists) underwent surgery for scapholunate dissociation and were followed up with clinical (visual analogue scale, Mayo Wrist Score, Patient-Rated Wrist Evaluation, and Disabilities of the Arm, Shoulder, and Hand) and radiological assessment (conventional radiography and CT arthrography). Conventional radiography was assessed for: the scapholunate gap, scapholunate angle, radiolunate angle, capitate-lunate angle, and carpal height index; the CT arthrography images were also evaluated for: the distance between the dorsal exit hole of the bone tunnel and the proximal scaphoid pole, the thickness and tension of the flexor carpi radialis (FCR) strip, and any signs of joint degeneration., Results: Analysis of the data from conventional radiography and MDCT arthrography demonstrated a significant statistical correlation among the measurements obtained on the radiograms and multiplanar CT reconstructions and the patients' clinical outcome., Conclusions: Our results show that MDCT arthrography has the same value as conventional radiography in the evaluation of standard parameters (scapholunate gap, scapholunate angle, radiolunate angle, capitolunate angle, carpal height index), but in addition provides an accurate delineation of the FCR tendon graft, allowing differentiation of its thickness, direction and degree of tension.