PURPOSE: To assess the utility of multiphasic spiral CT for characterizing renal masses. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The study included 36 patients (53 lesions) referred for the evaluation of renal masses suspected on the basis of the results of sonography or radiography. Spiral CT of the kidneys was performed prior to and following power injection of intravenous contrast material (Optiray-320). Postcontrast imaging data were obtained and analyzed during early and late corticomedullary (20-30-second delay), nephrographic (60-70-second delay), and excretory (5-minute delay) phases. During each phase, the ability to detect renal masses was evaluated, and the ability to diagnose these masses on routine and multiphasic CT was assessed. Routine precontrast and excretory phase CT studies were performed and the usefulness of each phase for the diagnosis of renal cell carcinoma (RCC) and transitional cell carcinoma (TCC) was evaluated. RESULTS: The rates for the detection of renal masses were as follows: 94.3% on precontrast scan, 93.8% during the early corticomedulolary phase (ECMP), 98.1% during the late corticomedullary phase (LCMP), 100% during the nephrographic phase (NP), and 98.1% during the excretory phase (EP). During both routine and multiphasic CT, diagnostic accuracy was 96.2%, though for differential diagnosis, multiphasic CT was more helpful than routine CT in 4/16 cases of RCC and 2/8 cases of TCC. The highest for lesion characterization, during the LCMP in RCC, and the LCMP and NP in TCC ; for evaluation of tumor margin during the EP in both RCC and TCC ; for delineation of the renal artery, during the LCMP in both RCC and TCC ; for delineating the renal vein, during the NP in RCC, and the LCMP in TCC. CONCLUSION: For the detection and correct diagnosis oflesions, multiphasic CT was not superior to routine CT, but for the characterization of RCC and TCC, the former was helpful. The most useful phase can differ according to the kind of renal mass, and so for characterization of the mass, the most appropriate phase must be selected.
Carcinoma, Renal Cell ; Carcinoma, Transitional Cell ; Diagnosis ; Diagnosis, Differential ; Humans ; Kidney ; Radiography ; Renal Artery ; Renal Veins ; Tomography, Spiral Computed*

Anomalies of renal vasculature combined with ectopic kidneys were found on a multi-detector CT scan. Knowledge of renal vascular variation is very important for surgical exploration, radiologic intervention and staging for urologic cancer. We present an extremely rare case of a right circumaortic renal vein combined with a right ectopic kidney. The right kidney was located at the level between the third and fifth lumbar vertebra. The right circumaortic renal vein crossed the aorta and returned to the inferior vena cava behind the aorta.
Adult ; Humans ; Kidney/*abnormalities/blood supply/radiography ; Kidney Diseases/congenital/*radiography ; Male ; *Multidetector Computed Tomography ; Renal Veins/*abnormalities/radiography ; Vena Cava, Inferior/abnormalities/radiography

The increased use of laparoscopic nephrectomy and nephron-sparing surgery has prompted the need for a more detailed radiological evaluation of the renal vascular anatomy. Multidetector CT angiography is a fast and accurate modality for assessing the precise anatomy of the renal vessels. In this pictorial review, we present the multidetector CT angiography appearances of the normal renal vascular anatomy and a spectrum of various anomalies that require accurate vascular depiction before undergoing surgical treatment.
Adult ; Aged ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Renal Artery/abnormalities/anatomy & histology/*radiography ; Renal Veins/abnormalities/anatomy & histology/*radiography ; Tomography, X-Ray Computed/*methods ; Young Adult

Yolk sac tumor (YST) is a rare germ cell neoplasm of childhood that usually arises from the testis or ovary. The rare cases of YST in various extragonadal locations have been reported, but the primary intrarenal YST is even more uncommon. Here, we report a case of a primary intrarenal YST with tumor thrombus of the inferior vena cava and left renal vein in a 2-year-old boy, with an emphasis on the CT features. To our knowledge, this is the first reported case of an intrarenal YST with intravascular involvement.
Child, Preschool ; Humans ; Male ; Neoplasms, Germ Cell and Embryonal/*diagnosis/pathology/ultrasonography ; Renal Veins/pathology/*radiography ; Thrombosis/pathology/radiography ; *Tomography, X-Ray Computed ; Vena Cava, Inferior/pathology/*radiography

Phlebosclerotic colitis is a rare disease of intestinal ischemia caused by calcified peripheral mesenteric veins and a thickened colonic wall, differentiating it from the typical ischemic colitis. A 68-year-old man who was undergoing hemodialysis presented with hematochezia and abdominal pain. Colonoscopic findings showed typical dark purple-colored edematous mucosa. Linear calcifications in the colon were noted on both a plain abdominal radiolography and abdominal computer tomography. These findings suggested that the patient suffered from phlebosclerotic colitis. Following bowel rest and fluid therapy, there was full recovery. We herein report a rare case of phlebosclerotic colitis in a hemodialysis patient and include a review of the relevant literature.
Abdominal Pain ; Aged ; Calcinosis ; Colitis/*diagnosis/radiography ; Colonoscopy ; Gastrointestinal Hemorrhage ; Humans ; Male ; Mesenteric Veins ; Renal Dialysis ; Tomography, X-Ray Computed

OBJECTIVE: To determine the accuracy of the use of multi-detector row CT (MDCT) to predict vascular anatomy in living kidney donors and to reveal the prevalence of vascular variations in a Korean population. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of 153 living kidney donors that had undergone preoperative CT and nephrectomy, either with open or laparoscopic surgery, were selected retrospectively. The initial CT results were compared with the surgical findings and repeated review sessions of CT scans were performed to determine the causes of mismatches in discordant cases. RESULTS: The accuracy of CT angiography was 95% to predict the number of renal vessels. Four arteries and two veins were missed during the initial CT interpretation due to perception errors (for two arteries and two veins) and technical limitations (two arteries). The prevalence of multiple renal arteries and veins, early branching of a renal artery and late confluence of a renal vein were 31%, 5%, 12%, 17%, respectively. The circumaortic renal vein and the bilateral inferior vena cava were found in two cases each (1.3%). One case (0.7%) each of a retroaortic renal vein and a supradiaphragmatic originated renal artery were found. CONCLUSION: MDCT provides a reliable method to evaluate the vascular anatomy and variations of living kidney donors.
Adult ; Angiography/*methods/standards ; Female ; Humans ; Kidney/*blood supply/radiography ; *Living Donors ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Renal Artery/radiography ; Renal Veins/radiography ; Retrospective Studies ; *Tomography, X-Ray Computed/standards ; Young Adult

A 61-year-old man presented with a right renal mass with a vena caval thrombus on computed tomography that was consistent with renal cell carcinoma. The results of routine laboratory examinations and urinalysis were within normal limits. Preoperative planning was critical owing to the presence of the vena caval thrombus. A radical nephrectomy, vena caval thrombectomy, and regional lymphadenectomy were done. The pathologic report was consistent with a high-grade, invasive urothelial carcinoma, with sarcomatoid differentiation involving the renal vein and inferior vena cava (Stage IV, T4N0M0). Thus, this was a rare case of upper tract urothelial carcinoma. Adjuvant chemotherapy with the methotrexate, vinblastine, doxorubicin, cisplatinum regimen is scheduled. To our knowledge, this is the first report in Korea of upper tract urothelial carcinoma of the sarcomatoid type with a vena caval thrombus.
Carcinoma, Renal Cell/pathology ; Diagnosis, Differential ; Humans ; Kidney Neoplasms/diagnosis/*pathology ; Lymph Node Excision/methods ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Nephrectomy/methods ; Renal Veins/*radiography ; Thrombectomy/methods ; Thrombosis/*radiography ; Tomography, X-Ray Computed ; Vena Cava, Inferior/*radiography

A 61-year-old man presented with a right renal mass with a vena caval thrombus on computed tomography that was consistent with renal cell carcinoma. The results of routine laboratory examinations and urinalysis were within normal limits. Preoperative planning was critical owing to the presence of the vena caval thrombus. A radical nephrectomy, vena caval thrombectomy, and regional lymphadenectomy were done. The pathologic report was consistent with a high-grade, invasive urothelial carcinoma, with sarcomatoid differentiation involving the renal vein and inferior vena cava (Stage IV, T4N0M0). Thus, this was a rare case of upper tract urothelial carcinoma. Adjuvant chemotherapy with the methotrexate, vinblastine, doxorubicin, cisplatinum regimen is scheduled. To our knowledge, this is the first report in Korea of upper tract urothelial carcinoma of the sarcomatoid type with a vena caval thrombus.
Carcinoma, Renal Cell/pathology ; Diagnosis, Differential ; Humans ; Kidney Neoplasms/diagnosis/*pathology ; Lymph Node Excision/methods ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Nephrectomy/methods ; Renal Veins/*radiography ; Thrombectomy/methods ; Thrombosis/*radiography ; Tomography, X-Ray Computed ; Vena Cava, Inferior/*radiography

Various anatomic anomalies have been considered the causes of nutcracker syndrome (NCS). Posterior NCS refers to the condition, in which vascular narrowing was secondary to the compression of the retroaortic left renal vein while it is crossing between the aorta and the vertebral column. Here, we report an unusual case of posterior NCS associated with a complicated malformation of the interrupted left inferior vena cava with azygos continuation and retroaortic right renal vein, diagnosed by both color Doppler ultrasonography and CT angiography.
Adult ; Azygos Vein/*abnormalities ; Diagnosis, Differential ; Female ; Humans ; Renal Nutcracker Syndrome/*radiography/*ultrasonography ; Renal Veins/*abnormalities ; Tomography, X-Ray Computed ; Vena Cava, Inferior/*abnormalities

The authors dissected and examined a horseshoe kidney from the cadaver of a 54-year-old Korean female. The results were as follows. Other congenital anomalies or complications were not found, and no renal stones showed on plain radiography of the horseshoe kidney. The horseshoe kidney was located in the area between the 12 th thoracic vertebra and the 4th lumbar vertebra, with the superior extremity of the left kidney 10mm more inferior than that of the right. The isthmus connecting the bilateral kidneys was located at the level of the 3rd lumbar vertebra. The size of the kidney was 102mm × 52mm × 44mm (right) and 108mm × 62mm × 34mm (left), and the superoinferior and anteroposterior lengths of isthmus were 22mm and 10mm, respectively. The abdominal aorta and inferior vena cava passed posteriorly to the isthmus, with the inferior mesenteric artery and lumbar splanchnic nerve passing anteriorly. Some grooves were found on the anterior surface of the bilateral kidney. The hilum of the right kidney faced the anteromedial direction and that of the left kidney faced the anterolateral direction. At the hilar plane, the right renal arteries and veins passed anteriorly and posteriorly to the renal pelvis ; the left renal arteries passed posteriorly to the renal pelvis, with the left renal veins passing anteriorly and posteriorly. Three branches of the right renal arteries passed renal hilum, while two branches did not, and two branches of the left renal arteries passed renal hilum, while six branches did not. The two arteries arising from the aortic bifurcation were distributed to the isthmus. The number of renal veins passing the renal hilum were three in the right, and two in the left. The right and left ovarian veins drained to the renal veins. There were 12 minor calyces distributed normally in the right kidney, 13 minor calyces distributed radially in the left kidney, and 3 minor calyces in the isthmus, composed of parenchyme. The left portion of the horseshoe kidney was concluded to have developed poorly, on the basis of incomplete ascension and abnormal rotation during development, the imperfect configuration of the renal shape, and the abnormal distribution of the renal vessels and renal calyces.
Aorta, Abdominal ; Arteries ; Cadaver ; Extremities ; Female ; Fused Kidney* ; Humans ; Kidney ; Kidney Pelvis ; Mesenteric Artery, Inferior ; Middle Aged ; Radiography ; Renal Artery ; Renal Veins ; Spine ; Splanchnic Nerves ; Veins ; Vena Cava, Inferior