Abstract
Percutaneous renal ablation is a nephron-sparing approach for selected patients with renal cell carcinoma. Common complications include hemorrhage, injury to the urinary collecting system, and abscess formation. The purpose of this article is to present a case of vascular air embolism as a complication of pneumodissection performed during percutaneous ablation of renal cell carcinoma, discuss its successful percutaneous management, review common complications of renal ablation, and outline steps physicians can take to lessen these complications.