[Emission-computed tomography in the diagnosis of kidney tumors and cysts]

Emission computed tomography (ECT) was used to examine 48 patients with suspected renal lesions. Sectional images of renal cysts diagnosed in 14 of them were characterized by well-defined outlines surrounded by uniformly declining radiopharmaceutical accumulations. Renal tumors were detected in 25 patients. ECT pattern of the tumor had obscure borders suggesting the tumor invasion into the renal tissue. Accumulation of the radiopharmaceutical round the tumor was less pronounced than in functioning renal tissue. According to ECT findings, 8 subjects were free of urological pathology. It is concluded that ECT is a promising diagnostic tool in urology as it permits sectional visualization of renal neoplasms structure, is highly sensitive, informative and noninvasive. It can identify mass lesions of the kidneys and warrants exhaustive information on functional performance of the renal parenchyma.