CT Features and Pathological Correlation of Primitive Neuroectodermal Tumor of the Kidney

The purpose of the study was to analyze the computed tomography (CT) findings of primitive neuroectodermal tumor (PNET) of the kidney and correlate them pathologically. Ten cases of pathologically confirmed renal PNET were collected and retrospectively reviewed. The CT features that were analyzed include tumor size, shape, margins, density, nature of enhancement, presence of thrombosis, and metastasis, etc. These parameters were correlated with pathological findings and combined with literature review. The median age of the patients was 30 years. CT images showed solitary, large, ill-defined, irregular, or lobulated heterogeneous mass. Invasive growth toward the renal cortex and pelvis with renal cortical interruptions were seen in eight cases with one case exhibiting invasion that extended beyond the renal capsule with soft tissue seen in the perirenal fat pace. The tumors were confined to the kidney contour with enlargement of kidney in six of the cases. Cystic changes with mural nodules were detected in three cases. Eight cases showed persistent moderate enhancement during the nephrographic phase. Irregular septum-like structures were seen in four cases. Thrombosis was detected in eight cases. Lymph node metastasis was detected in eight cases with bilateral lung metastasis in two and bone metastasis in one. Renal PNET is a rare highly aggressive disease affecting younger people. It should be considered as a strong differential when well confined, yet large tumors that cause enlargement of the kidney are seen and also when tumors expressing cystic changes along with mural nodules are seen. Although renal PNET has certain other characteristic CT features, pathological and immunohistochemistry report must also be sought for definitive diagnosis.