Computed tomography (CT)‎ versus magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)‎ in assessment of atypical cystic renal masses

Abstract EN

Background / Am : With modern computed tomography (CT) and magnetic resonance (MR) imaging equipment, the diagnosis of most renal masses is usually straightforward and accurate.

The evaluation of renal mass usually can be accomplished if a high quality examination is performed, if lesions that mimic a renal neoplasm are considered and excluded and if there is awareness of the potential pitfalls and limitations of CT and MR imaging.

The objective of our study was to evaluate the role of computed tomography (CT) versus magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is assessment of atypical cystic renal masses.

Patients & Methods : This study was carried out in Radiology department at Urology and Nephrology center, Mansoura University, on 36 patients with atypical cystic renal masses, all patients were examined by ultrasound, CT scanning and MR imaging.

Results : in this study, there were 36 patients with atypical cystic renal masses, 26 cases (72.2 %) had similar findings by CT and MRI and 10 cases (27.8 %), had different findings by CT and MRI.

This difference resulted in a higher classification in 6 cases (16.7 %), where the lesions upgraded from Category HF at CT to Category EI at MRI and 4 lesions upgraded from Category III at CT to Category IV at MRI.

Conclusion : the detection and diagnosis of atypical renal cysts can be challenging.

In cystic lesions MRI was superior in detection of more septa and enhancing solid nodules which appeared equivocal by CT, however CT was superior in detection of fresh blood density and calcifications in cystic lesions.