THE ROLE OF ECHOGRAPHY IN THE INVESTIGATION OF RENAL MASSES - 65 CASES

  • 1 January 1982
    • journal article
    • research article
    • Vol. 88  (9) , 577-585
Abstract
Renal tumors (65) were investigated by echography. The group was made up of 24 simple cysts, 18 hydatid cysts and 23 carcinomas of the kidney. Echography should be carried out whenever a tumor syndrome is found by urography. Solid tumors are malignant. They rarely pose any diagnostic problem. For fluid-containing tumors, a parasitic etiology may be assumed in the presence of characteristic features and whenever the clinical context is suggestive. A simple cyst with a non-echogenic and homogeneous structure is easy to diagnose. The only diagnostic problem which remains is that of tumors with a heterogeneous echostructure. Arteriography is then of great value. In solid tumors, echography must include study of the renal vein, inferior vena cava and liver. The indications of arteriography are hence limited to heterogeneous tumors and carcinomas of the kidney where it is particularly useful in assessing venous spread. Taking all tumors together, the reliability rate of echography is 76%. Because of its harmless nature and low cost, echography has become an examination of choice in the diagnosis of renal tumors.

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