A Review Study on Characterization of Renal Masses Using Computed Tomography

Abstract

Introduction: Computed tomography (CT) is the most widely used imaging modality in the characterization of renal mass. A standard CT study protocol for both solid and complex cystic renal masses includes an unenhanced study for baseline density measurements in Hounsfield units (Hu) and a contrast-enhanced nephrographic phase acquisition to evaluate the presence of enhancement (HU nephrographic phase– HU unenhanced phase). The enhancement will be considered certainly absent if CT attenuation increases by not more than 10 HU and a renal mass will be considered as non-enhancing, usually a renal cyst, If CT attenuation increases by almost 20 HU, the enhancement will be considered certainly present and if no intralesional macroscopic fat is visible, an enhancing lesion such as renal cell carcinoma, metastasis or lymphoma must be considered.

Objectives: 1. “To diagnose different types of renal masses with the help of different phases” by using CT.

1. To identify the various staging of renal masses through a CT scanner.

Methods: This study evaluates the quality of previous research on the use of CT in characterizing renal masses through a literature review. We collected and reviewed data from 17 articles after examining the first 30 with the help of the PRISMA technique.

Conclusions: Among all 4 phases nephrogenic phase is best for renal parenchyma enhancement and the corticomedullary phase is adequate for clinical diagnosis of RCC.