Renal imaging: what the urologist wants to know

Preoperative imaging in renal surgery is of utmost importance in contemporary surgical practice. From a diagnostic standpoint, imaging discovers many renal tumors incidentally before they become symptomatic. These tumors often are amenable to partial renal resection or minimally invasive surgical approaches. In general, surgical interventions for renal abnormalities have evolved to a less invasive endourologic or laparoscopic approach. Selection of the appropriate surgical intervention for renal tumors, collecting system tumors, and hydronephrosis depends heavily on the anatomy of the renal pathology. Thus, renal imaging is crucial in clinical decision-making. This article reviews the contribution of imaging to the surgical management of renal tumors, upper tract urothelial tumors, and ureteropelvic junction obstruction.