Related Experiment Video
Updated: Nov 1, 2025

Author Spotlight: Developing a Bedside Protocol for Kidney and Genitourinary Ultrasonography
Published on: June 21, 2024
[Imaging of renal tumors in children]
J-P Schenk1, A Hötker2, R Furtwängler3
1Sektion Pädiatrische Radiologie, Klinik für Diagnostische und Interventionelle Radiologie, Universitätsklinikum Heidelberg, Im Neuenheimer Feld 430, 69120, Heidelberg, Deutschland. Jens-Peter.Schenk@med.uni-heidelberg.de.
Clinical/Methodological Issue:
Renal tumors in children are treated according to the guidelines of the Renal Tumor Study Group of the International Society of Pediatric Oncology (SIOP-RTSG). Nephroblastoma is the most frequent renal tumor in children.
Standard Radiological Methods:
After sonography, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is the preferred imaging modality. The task of imaging includes differential diagnosis with the help of morphological and epidemiological criteria. Thorax computed tomography (CT) is introduced for initial staging.
Methodological Innovations:
Current studies of diffusion-weighted imaging (DWI)-MRI with analysis of the apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) histogram indicate the potential to differentiate blastemal or anaplastic high-risk histology nephroblatoma subtypes. Imaging criteria for nephron-sparing surgery are defined and allow an individual therapy option in unilateral and especially in bilateral renal nephroblastoma.
Performance:
In addition to nephroblastoma, the differential diagnosis includes congenital mesoblastic nephroma, malignant rhabdoid tumor of the kidney, clear cell sarcoma and renal cell carcinoma. The diagnosis of nephrogenic rests and nephroblastomatosis is challenging.
Achievements:
Diagnostic standardization improves diagnosis and therapy of renal childhood tumors, and new prognostic markers may be introduced in the near future.
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Imaging Studies III: Computed Tomography
Imaging Studies I: Kidney, Ureter, and Bladder Studies
Imaging Studies VII: Vascular Imaging
Imaging Studies II: Ultrasonography
Imaging Studies V: Intravenous Urography and Retrograde Pyelography
Imaging Studies IV: Magnetic Resonance Imaging

