Small renal cell carcinoma: pathologic and radiologic correlation

The authors correlated the radiologic and pathologic findings of 36 patients with small renal cell carcinoma (less than or equal to 3 cm in diameter). Tumors were discovered incidentally or by means of mass surveys with ultrasound (US). Computed tomography (CT) and angiography were performed before surgery. Of the 36 tumors, 24 were of solid (alveolar) architecture, five were of papillary architecture, three were of tubular architecture, and four were of multilocular cystic architecture. Cell arrangement was closely correlated with radiologic appearance, especially in regard to tumor vascularity and echogenicity. Histologically homogeneous tumors of solid architecture were hypoechoic at US and hypervascular at angiography and contrast medium-enhanced CT. Tumors of papillary, tubular, and multilocular cystic architecture were hyperechoic at US and hypovascular at angiography. There was no correlation of cell differentiation and cell architecture with echogenicity or tumor vascularity. Tumors with hemorrhage showed marked hyperattenuation at CT. A tumor capsule was observed in 25 patients (69%); this was demonstrated as a rim at US or angiography.