CT of renal cell carcinoma: Assessment of collecting system invasion Journal Article


Authors: Karlo, C. A.; Di Paolo, P. L.; Hricak, H.; Tickoo, S. K.; Russo, P.; Akin, O.
Article Title: CT of renal cell carcinoma: Assessment of collecting system invasion
Abstract: OBJECTIVE. Although renal collecting system invasion is not considered in the current TNM staging system, this finding may be relevant in terms of treatment planning and prognosis. The objective of this study was to investigate the frequency of collecting system invasion in renal cell carcinoma (RCC) and to assess the diagnostic performance of excretory phase CT for the assessment of collecting system invasion. MATERIALS AND METHODS. We conducted a retrospective study of 261 patients (171 men and 90 women; average age, 61 years; age range, 32-86 years) who underwent CT before nephrectomy for RCC between November 2008 and July 2011 at a single institution. On excretory phase contrast-enhanced CT images, two radiologists independently determined whether RCC components caused a filling defect within the collecting system and whether the RCC was in contact to the collecting system wall or separated from it. Histopathology served as the standard of reference. Interreader agreement and diagnostic performance tests for the detection of collecting system invasion were calculated. RESULTS. Histopathology identified collecting system invasion exclusively in clear cell RCC that showed a filling defect within the collecting system on excretory phase CT images (5.4%, 14/261). Tumors separated from or in contact with the collecting system on imaging (both readers; 94.6%, 247/261) did not show collecting system invasion on histopathology (sensitivity, 100%; specificity, 100%). Interreader agreement was excellent (κ, 0.965; 95% CI, 0.93-0.99). CONCLUSION. CT provides reliable assessment of collecting system invasion in patients with RCC, with excellent sensitivity and specificity.
Keywords: renal cell carcinoma; kidney cancer; ct; renal pelvis; collecting system
Journal Title: American Journal of Roentgenology
Volume: 201
Issue: 6
ISSN: 0361-803X
Publisher: American Roentgen Ray Society  
Date Published: 2013-12-01
Start Page: W821
End Page: W827
Language: English
DOI: 10.2214/ajr.13.10785
PROVIDER: scopus
PUBMED: 24261389
DOI/URL:
Notes: Export Date: 2 January 2014 -- CODEN: AJROA -- Source: Scopus
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MSK Authors
  1. Paul Russo
    581 Russo
  2. Satish K Tickoo
    483 Tickoo
  3. Hedvig Hricak
    419 Hricak
  4. Oguz Akin
    264 Akin
  5. Christoph Alexander Karlo
    18 Karlo