Evaluation of renal masses with contrast-enhanced ultrasound

Curr Urol Rep. 2013 Apr;14(2):116-23. doi: 10.1007/s11934-013-0309-x.

Abstract

The clinical need for characterising small renal masses (SRMs) is increasing due to their rising incidental detection. This increase is especially seen in younger and older generations and concerns mainly SRMs. Diagnostics is mainly made by contrast-enhanced CT or MRI. However, these imaging methods fail to accurately distinguishing benign from malignant SRMs. Other disadvantages of CT or MRI are high costs, the use of ionizing radiation, nephrotoxicity induced by iodine contrast agents or nephrogenic systemic fibrosis (NSF) induced by gadolinium contrast agents. Contrast-enhanced ultrasound (CEUS) is based on ultrasonography and microbubbles to real-time visualize the renal blood flow without the use of nephrotoxic agents or ionizing radiation. This comprehensive review evaluates the capabilities of CEUS in the diagnostics of benign (angiomyolipomas, cysts, oncocytomas, pseudotumors) and malignant masses (renal cell carcinomas), and focuses on possible future treatment.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Adenoma, Oxyphilic / diagnostic imaging
  • Adenoma, Oxyphilic / surgery
  • Angiomyolipoma / diagnostic imaging
  • Angiomyolipoma / surgery
  • Carcinoma, Renal Cell / diagnostic imaging*
  • Carcinoma, Renal Cell / surgery
  • Catheter Ablation
  • Contrast Media*
  • Cryosurgery
  • Cysts / diagnostic imaging*
  • Cysts / surgery
  • Humans
  • Kidney Diseases / diagnostic imaging*
  • Kidney Diseases / surgery
  • Kidney Neoplasms / diagnostic imaging*
  • Kidney Neoplasms / surgery
  • Microbubbles*
  • Ultrasonography

Substances

  • Contrast Media

Supplementary concepts

  • Oncocytoma, renal