[Nuclear magnetic resonance tomography in space-occupying kidney lesions]

The kidneys in 15 patients (8 renal tumours, 4 cysts and 7 normal patients) were examined by means of super-conductive NMR tomography in order to assess the value of the method and its use in tumour staging. The findings were compared with computed tomography, angiography and surgery. Parenchymal tumours and cysts are easily recognised and differentiated, as they are on CT. NMR demonstrates a pseudo-capsule, which can otherwise only be seen on the angiogram, or on angio-CT. The extent in the peri- and pararenal space, infiltration into neighbouring organs and lymph nodes are equally well seen on NMR and CT. NMR equals angiography for demonstrating invasion into the renal vein and vena cava and, in this respect, is better than CT.