Renal masses--evaluation by amplitude coded colour Doppler sonography and multiphasic contrast-enhanced CT.
OBJECTIVE
To assess the efficacy of amplitude coded colour Doppler US (aCDS) in the evaluation of renal masses as shown by multiphasic contrast-enhanced CT.


METHODS
Eighty patients (155 kidneys) with suspicion of renal masses underwent aCDS and spiral CT. The findings were classified into normal kidneys, kidneys with tumours, kidneys with cysts, and those with "other findings" (i.e. bleeding, calcifications, inflammation, parenchymal hypertrophy). The aCDS findings were compared to CT results and to histological findings or clinical, laboratory and follow-up data.


RESULTS
Eighteen renal cell carcinomas and 8 other tumours were found; 78 kidneys had cysts, 12 polycystic kidneys and 10 fibrotic kidneys were detected, 20 kidneys showed other findings. Diagnostic aCDS data were obtained in 129 kidneys (83.2%) showing pathology with an accuracy of 94%. CT adequately showed pathology in all patients with some diagnostic uncertainty in the evaluation of complicated cysts.


CONCLUSIONS
Though contrast-enhanced multiphasic spiral CT is the method of choice for evaluating renal masses, US including aCDS can provide valuable information, particularly in differentiating vascularized from non-vascularized lesions and in the evaluation of complicated renal cysts.
Department of Radiology, University Hospital, Graz, Austria.
M
M
Riccabona
D
D
Szolar
K
K
Preidler
M
M
Uggowitzer
C
C
Kugler
O
O
Dörfler
H H
HH
Schreyer
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D002292:Carcinoma, Renal Cell / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D003287:Contrast Media; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006394:Hemangiosarcoma / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D018219:Histiocytoma, Benign Fibrous / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D006801:Humans; D007275:Injections, Intravenous; D007472:Iohexol / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000031:analogs & derivatives*; D007674:Kidney Diseases / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D007680:Kidney Neoplasms / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D015203:Reproducibility of Results; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed / Q000379:methods; D014402:Tuberous Sclerosis / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D018615:Ultrasonography, Doppler, Color / Q000379:methods
D003287:Contrast Media; D007472:Iohexol; C038192:iopromide