[Lymphoma of the kidney. Value of echography and x-ray computed tomography]

The most frequent site of involvement of the urinary tract by lymphomas is the kidney (68% of lesions, mainly secondary). Thirteen cases are described (2 Hodgkin's disease and 11 non-Hodgkin lymphomas, 2 of which were primary lesions). All 13 patients were investigated by ultrasound; 10 were also investigated by CT. Both solitary and multiple lesions were observed for these 13 patients: 8 cases of multinodular lesions (including 1 false negative sonogram), 4 cases of continuous spread from retroperitoneal nodes, 4 cases of a nodular lesion or solitary tumor, and 2 cases of an infiltrating lesion. Bilateral lesions were seen in 6 cases, and existed in the presence of concomitant hepatic (5 cases) or splenic lesions (4 cases). Comparison of the value of ultrasound and CT scanning over a period of time was performed for 6 patients: there was concordance of findings for 3 cases, better sensitivity with CT in 2 cases, and better sensitivity with ultrasound in 1 case. The general characteristics and the imaging of renal lymphomas along with the renal complications of lymphomas and complications resulting from treatment are discussed.