Computed tomography of transitional-cell carcinoma of the renal pelvis and ureter

Preoperative staging of transitional-cell carcinoma of the upper urinary tract is important for identification of those tumors amenable to limited resection. Twenty-two patients were examined using computed tomography (CT), and three patterns were noted: (a) a focal intraluminal mass, (b) ureteral wall thickening with luminal narrowing, and (c) an infiltrating mass. In most cases, attenuation was similar to that of soft tissue; one tumor was calcified. Tumors of the renal pelvis may exhibit contrast enhancement. In 11 cases, excretory urography was inadequate or not attempted. CT demonstrated the site and cause of obstruction in all cases and proved to be a useful noninvasive staging procedure for suspected or proved transitional-cell carcinoma of the upper urinary tract.