Ultrasonic characterization of solid renal lesions: echographic, angiographic and pathologic correlation

Area of Science:

• Nephrology
• Diagnostic Imaging
• Oncology

Background:

• Solid renal lesions require accurate characterization for appropriate management.
• Renal echography is a widely available imaging modality.
• Correlation with angiography and pathology is the gold standard for diagnosis.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the diagnostic accuracy of renal echography in characterizing solid renal lesions.
• To correlate echographic findings with angiography and histopathology.
• To determine echographic patterns differentiating renal tumors from pseudo-tumors.

Main Methods:

• Seventy-two patients with solid renal lesions underwent renal echography.
• Results were correlated with angiography and pathological examination of excised specimens.
• Echogenicity of lesions was compared to adjacent normal renal parenchyma.

Main Results:

• Echography correctly diagnosed 31 renal tumors, confirmed by angiography and pathology.
• Renal tumors were either more echo-producing or less echogenic than normal parenchyma.
• Hypervascular tumors with necrosis/hemorrhage were more echo-producing; hypovascular tumors, transitional cell carcinoma, and metastases were less echo-producing.
• Pseudo-tumors showed echogenicity similar to normal renal parenchyma.

Conclusions:

• Renal echography is effective in differentiating solid renal lesions.
• Distinct echogenicity patterns aid in distinguishing renal tumors from benign conditions.
• Echographic findings, when correlated with other modalities, improve diagnostic accuracy for renal masses.