CT and MRI of small renal masses

Zhen J Wang1, Antonio C Westphalen1, Ronald J Zagoria1

  • 11 Department of Radiology and Biomedical Imaging, University of California San Francisco , San Francisco, CA , USA.

Insights

Imaging helps characterize small renal masses, distinguishing benign from aggressive tumors. This review covers imaging features using CT and MRI to aid diagnosis and management of these common findings.

Area of Science:

  • Radiology
  • Oncology
  • Pathology

Background:

  • Small renal masses are frequently discovered incidentally during medical imaging.
  • These masses encompass a spectrum from benign tumors to aggressive renal cell carcinomas.
  • Accurate characterization is crucial for appropriate patient management.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review current evidence on imaging features correlating with the biology of small solid renal masses.
  • To discuss imaging characterization approaches using computed tomography (CT) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI).

Main Methods:

  • Review of current scientific literature on imaging of small renal masses.
  • Analysis of imaging features on CT and MRI.
  • Correlation of imaging findings with tumor histology and aggressiveness.

Main Results:

  • Imaging features can predict the nature and aggressiveness of small renal masses.
  • CT and MRI provide valuable information for characterizing indeterminate masses.
  • Certain imaging patterns are associated with specific renal tumor types.

Conclusions:

  • Imaging is essential for characterizing small renal masses, guiding clinical decisions.
  • CT and MRI play a vital role in differentiating benign from malignant and indolent from aggressive renal tumors.
  • Further research can refine imaging criteria for improved diagnostic accuracy.

Related Concept Videos

Imaging Studies I: CT and MRI01:14

Imaging Studies I: CT and MRI

Introduction: MRI and CT scans are crucial advancements in medical imaging techniques, playing a vital role in diagnosing conditions related to the gastrointestinal (GI) system. Each scan serves distinct purposes, targets specific areas, and requires unique nursing duties.
Description of the Procedures
Computed Tomography (CT) scan:
Computed Tomography (CT) scans use X-ray technology to generate detailed images of bones, organs, and tissues. During the scan, the patient lies on a moving table...
921
Factors Affecting Renal Clearance: Renal Impairment01:17

Factors Affecting Renal Clearance: Renal Impairment

Renal dysfunction significantly impairs the renal clearance of drugs, leading to potential complications in drug therapy. Renal failure, which can be caused by various factors, poses a significant challenge in the elimination of drugs from the body.
One condition associated with renal failure is uremia. Uremia is characterized by impaired glomerular filtration and fluid accumulation in the body. This condition hinders the renal clearance of drugs, resulting in drug accumulation and potential...
485
Atomic Mass01:52

Atomic Mass

Atoms — and the protons, neutrons, and electrons that compose them — are extremely small. For example, a carbon atom weighs less than 2 × 10−23 g. When describing the properties of tiny objects such as atoms, we use appropriately small units of measure, such as the atomic mass unit (amu). The amu was originally defined based on hydrogen, the lightest element, then later in terms of oxygen. Since 1961, it has been defined with regard to the most abundant isotope of carbon, atoms of which...
70.5K
Molar Mass01:54

Molar Mass

The identity of a substance is defined not only by the types of atoms or ions it contains but by the quantity of each type of atom or ion. For example, water, H2O, and hydrogen peroxide, H2O2, are alike in that their respective molecules are composed of hydrogen and oxygen atoms. However, because a hydrogen peroxide molecule contains two oxygen atoms, as opposed to the water molecule, which has only one, the two substances exhibit very different properties.
87.1K
Renal Corpuscle01:20

Renal Corpuscle

The glomerulus and Bowman's capsule are two essential components of the nephron, which is the functional unit of the kidney. These microscopic structures play a critical role in the process of blood filtration to produce urine.
Glomerulus: Structure and Function
The glomerulus is a tiny, intricate network of capillaries located at the beginning of the nephron. It's enveloped by the Bowman's capsule and receives its blood supply from an afferent arteriole, which divides into numerous...
7.6K
Renal Clearance01:23

Renal Clearance

The glomerular filtration rate (GFR) is a critical marker of kidney function, reflecting the efficiency of filtration by the glomeruli. Renal clearance of specific substances, such as inulin or creatinine, is commonly used to measure GFR.
Renal clearance refers to the volume of plasma cleared of a specific substance, such as creatinine, per unit of time. To measure clearance, urine samples are collected over a 24-hour period during each bladder voiding, followed by a single blood sample at the...
2.7K