Transitional cell carcinoma of the upper urinary tract: staging by MRI

✍ Scribed by S. M. Weeks; E. D. Brown; J. J. Brown; M. K. Adamis; L. B. Eisenberg; R. C. Semelka

• Publisher: Springer
• Year: 1995
• Tongue: English
• Weight: 729 KB
• Volume: 20
• Category: Article
• ISSN: 0942-8925
• DOI: 10.1007/bf00203373

✦ Synopsis

Background: This study evaluates the ability of MR/to stage transitional cell carcinoma of the upper urinary tract. Methods: Nine patients who had transitional cell carcinoma of the upper urinary tract detected by other imaging modalities underwent MR/examination at 1.5 T. Imaging included pre-and postgadolinium-DTPA T1weighted images (9 patients) pre-and postgadolinium chelate Tl-weighted fat-suppressed spin echo (7 patients). Postcontrast images were acquired prior to the presence of gadolinium within the collecting system (<2 min postcontrast), intermediate (2.5-8 min), and late (>10 min) postcontrast. Images were prospectively interpreted and lesion staging was determined. Correlation with histopathology was obtained in all cases. Results: Transitional cell cancers were demonstrated in 9/9 patients, and tumors ranged in size from 2 to 8 cm (mean = 3.8 cm) in one dimension. Correct tumor staging was performed in 8/9 patients. The Staging error in one case occurred because direct tumor extension into the renal parenchyma Was not detected. Conclusions: The results of this preliminary study show that MRI stages transitional cell cancers relatively well; however, MRI is not able to detect superficial invasion of renal parenchyma.