Preoperative evaluation of renal anatomy and renal masses with helical CT, 3D-CT and 3D-CT angiography.
OBJECTIVE
The aim of this prospective study was to determine the efficacy of three-dimensional computed tomography (3D-CT) and three-dimensional computed tomographic angiography (3D-CTA) that were reconstructed by using the axial images of the multiphasic helical CT in the preoperative evaluation of renal masses and demonstration of renal anatomy.


METHODS
Twenty patients that were suspected of having renal masses upon initial physical examination and ultrasonographic evaluation were examined through multiphasic helical CT. Two authors executed CT evaluations. Axial images were first examined and then used to reconstruct 3D-CT and 3D- CTA images. Number, location and size of the renal masses and other findings were noted. Renal vascularization and relationships of the renal masses with the neighboring renal structures were further investigated with 3D-CT and 3D-CTA images.


RESULTS
Out of 20 patients, 13 had histopathologically proven renal cell carcinoma. The diagnoses of the remaining seven patients were xanthogranulomatous pyelonephritis, abscess, simple cyst, infected cyst, angiomyolipoma, oncocytoma and arteriovenous fistula. In the renal cell carcinoma group, 3 patients had stage I, 7 patients had stage II, and 3 patients had stage III disease. Sizes of renal cell carcinoma masses were between 23 mm to 60 mm (mean, 36 mm). Vascular invasion was shown in 2 renal cell carcinoma patients. Collecting system invasion was identified in 11 of 13 renal cell patients. These radiologic findings were confirmed with surgical specimens.


CONCLUSIONS
Three-dimensional CT and 3D-CTA are non-invasive, effective imaging techniques for the preoperative evaluation of renal masses.
Toprak
Uğur
U
Department of Radiodiagnostics, Ankara Numune Training and Research Hospital, Sihhiye, Ankara, Turkey.
Erdoğan
Aysun
A
Gülbay
Mutlu
M
Karademir
Mehmet Alp
MA
Paşaoğlu
Eşref
E
Akar
Okkeş Emrah
OE
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000792:Angiography / Q000379:methods*; D002292:Carcinoma, Renal Cell / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000473:pathology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D021621:Imaging, Three-Dimensional / Q000379:methods; D007668:Kidney / Q000033:anatomy & histology / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D007674:Kidney Diseases / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000473:pathology; D007680:Kidney Neoplasms / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000473:pathology; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009367:Neoplasm Staging; D011237:Predictive Value of Tests; D011300:Preoperative Care; D011446:Prospective Studies; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed / Q000379:methods*