Related Experiment Video
Updated: Mar 28, 2026
In Vivo, Percutaneous, Needle Based, Optical Coherence Tomography of Renal Masses
Published on: March 30, 2015
[Computed tomography features and pathological correlations of primitive neuroectodermal tumor of the kidney]
Songwei Yue1, Jingjing Xing, Jianbo Gao2
1Department of Radiology, Department of Pathology, First Affiliated Hospital, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou 450052, China.
Objective:
To explore the computed tomography (CT) features and pathological correlations of primitive neuroectodermal tumor (PNET) of the kidney.
Methods:
The CT features of 5 cases of pathologically confirmed PNETs were retrospectively reviewed along with a literature review to analyze the CT features and pathological correlations.
Results:
The age range was 19-78 years. CT image showed solitary mass of heterogeneous density with ill-defined margins. One case had multifocal necrosis. Among 3 cases of cystic changes, there were mural nodule (n = 2) and patchy calcification (n = 1). Four cases showed invasive growth into renal cortex and pelvis with cortical interruption (n = 3) and destruction of renal capsule and invasion into perirenal fat space (n = 1). The tumors were confined to kidney contour with enlarged kidney (n = 3). All 5 cases showed slight heterogenous enhancement in cortico-medullary phase with persistent moderate enhancement (n = 4) and persistent mild enhancement (n = 1) in nephrographic phase.
Conclusion:
Renal PNET is common in young patients with a high degree of malignancy. CT features include large mass with heterogenous density and poor-defined border confined within renal contour. Necrosis and cystic changes occur commonly with invasive growth. Persistent enhancement is found during nephrographic phase. A definite diagnosis is dependent upon pathological and immunohistochemical examinations.
Related Concept Videos
01:27Imaging Studies III: Computed Tomography
01:28Imaging Studies I: Kidney, Ureter, and Bladder Studies
01:21External Anatomy of the Kidney
The kidneys are located in the retroperitoneal space on either side of the vertebral column, protected posteriorly by the 11th and 12th ribs. The right kidney sits slightly lower than the left owing to the presence of the liver...
01:12Internal Anatomy of the Kidney
Anatomical Position and Dimensions
The kidneys are retroperitoneal organs positioned against the posterior abdominal wall on either side of the spine, roughly between the twelfth thoracic and third lumbar vertebrae. Each kidney is typically 10-12 cm long, 5-6 cm wide, and 3-4 cm thick, weighing about 150 grams.
Renal Cortex
The outermost region of the kidney is the...
01:45Kidney Structure
01:10Computed Tomography
The technique was invented in the 1970s and is based on the principle that as X-rays pass through the body, they are absorbed or reflected at different levels. In the technique, a patient lies on a motorized platform while a computerized axial tomography (CAT) scanner rotates...