Renal phlebography in diagnosis of poorly vascularized renal malignancies

Eight cases are presented to demonstrate the value and limitations of renal phlebography in the diagnosis of poorly vascularized renal malignancies. Because of the easier compressibility of the thinner venous channels, malignant tumors may cause more pronounced phlebographic changes than seen in corresponding arteriographic studies. Changes include venous compression and amputation, tumor thrombus, and venous neovascularity. It is believed that the supplementary use of renal phlebography at the same time arteriography is being accomplished may increase the chances of preoperatively diagnosing such hypovascular renal malignancies as papillary-tubular adenocarcinomas, metastatic and necrotic malignancies, and invasive transitional cell carcinomas.