Approach to pediatric renal tumors: an imaging review

Renal tumors comprise 7% of all childhood cancers. A wide variety of renal tumors can affect the pediatric kidneys, which can be broadly classified as primary benign tumors, primary malignant tumors, and metastatic lesions. This article aims to enumerate usual benign and malignant renal tumors that can occur in childhood and emphasizes the characteristic imaging appearances which aid in their differential diagnosis. Additionally, the leading role of the Radiologist in primary diagnosis of renal infiltration by hematological malignancies and contiguous invasion by neuroblastoma is also introduced and unraveled. Imaging protocol comprises initial Ultrasound evaluation with subsequent computed tomography (CT) and/or Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), all of which are invaluable in confirming the diagnosis, documenting the organ of origin, describing extent of local and distant spread. The complimentary role of nuclear medicine studies in delineating differential renal function, post-operative complications, and metastasis is also highlighted.