[Nuclear spin tomography and computerized tomography in malignant hypernephroma]

Forty patients with histologically confirmed hypernephromas were examined by MR and CT. As regards T-staging, MR had an accuracy of 97% and CT of 91%; for N-staging, MR had an accuracy of 85% and CT of 91% and, with regard to infiltration of the renal vein, MR was correct in 88% of cases and CT in 81%. MR was most accurate in the pre-operative assessment of tumour spread, demonstrating caval involvement in 100% and lymph node metastases in 97%. On the other hand, infiltration of the renal pelvis could be assessed in only 65% of cases; in 27% the assessment was not possible and in 8% one could not be certain. CT proved to be at its best for staging of lymph nodes, but in 15% it was not possible to identify infiltration of the renal vein. MR was not greatly superior to CT in the preoperative diagnosis and staging of hypernephromas.