title: Multiphasic multidetector-row CT (MDCT) in detection and staging of transitional cell carcinomas of the upper urinary tract.
abstract: The aim of this study was to evaluate the potential of multiphasic multidetector-row CT (MDCT) in the detection and staging of transitional cell carcinomas (TCC) of the upper urinary tract. We performed a retrospective chart review of 39 consecutive patients with 41 histologically verified TCC of the renal pelvis and/or the ureter. The urinary tract was examined using MDCT performing unenhanced and contrast-enhanced scans during the corticomedullary (CMP), nephrographic (NP) and pyelographic phase (PP). Tumors were staged according to the TNM classification. MDCT and histopathological findings were correlated. The attenuation of the lesions was documented in Hounsfield units (HU). In MDCT, all 41 TCC--including two multicentric TCC--were detected. TCC confined to the organ (stage 0a-II) was correctly staged in 28/29 tumors (96.6%). Stage III-IV tumors were correctly staged in 8/12 patients (66.6%). Overall, MDCT was accurate in predicting pathologic TNM stage in 36/41 upper urinary tract TCC (87.8%). There was no significant difference of mean attenuation of TCC between CMP, NP and PP (P > 0.05). MDCT with its high spatial and temporal resolution is an accurate tool for detection TCC of the upper urinary tract, with 87.8% accuracy in predicting its stage.
authors.affiliation: Department of Radiology, Medical University and University Hospital Graz, Auenbruggerplatz 9, 8036 Graz, Austria. gerald.fritz@klinikum-graz.at
authors.forename: Gerald A
authors.initials: GA
authors.lastname: Fritz
authors.forename: Helmut
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Schoellnast
authors.forename: Hannes A
authors.initials: HA
authors.lastname: Deutschmann
authors.forename: Franz
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Quehenberger
authors.forename: Manfred
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Tillich
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D002295:Carcinoma, Transitional Cell / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000473:pathology; D015331:Cohort Studies; D003287:Contrast Media; D005260:Female; D005544:Forecasting; D006801:Humans; D007091:Image Processing, Computer-Assisted / Q000379:methods*; D007672:Kidney Cortex / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D007679:Kidney Medulla / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D007680:Kidney Neoplasms / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000473:pathology; D007682:Kidney Pelvis / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009367:Neoplasm Staging; D009399:Nephrons / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D011856:Radiographic Image Enhancement / Q000379:methods; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed / Q000379:methods*; D014516:Ureteral Neoplasms / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000473:pathology; D014567:Urography
chemical_list: D003287:Contrast Media