Surgical management of renal cell cancer with extension into the vena cava: usefulness of intra-operative sonography.
Intracaval tumour extension represents a significant surgical problem in patients with renal cell carcinoma. Although pre-operative imaging techniques provide sufficient visualization for the planning of the majority of operative procedures, intra-operative ultrasound is nonetheless beneficial in some cases. In 3 patients, the procedure has given an accurate evaluation of the extent of the tumour thrombus. It has allowed safe placement of instruments which had lessened the risk of thrombus dislodgement. Intra-operative sonography is simple to perform and can be considered a valuable new adjunct in the evaluation and management of renal cell carcinoma with intracaval tumour extension. New technological advances may eventually improve the quality of intra-operative imaging.
Roth
S
S
Department of Urology, University of Münster, Germany.
Semjonow
A
A
van Ahlen
H
H
Oberpenning
F
F
Piechota
H J
HJ
Hertle
L
L
D002292:Carcinoma, Renal Cell / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery*; D006801:Humans; D007432:Intraoperative Period; D007680:Kidney Neoplasms / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery*; D014463:Ultrasonography; D014682:Vena Cava, Inferior / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000473:pathology