HOME HELP FEEDBACK SUBSCRIPTIONS ARCHIVE SEARCH TABLE OF CONTENTS		QUICK SEARCH:   [advanced] Author: Keyword(s): Year:  Vol:  Page:

This Article Figures Only Full Text Full Text (PDF) CME Test (opens in a new window) Submit a response Alert me when this article is cited Alert me when eLetters are posted Alert me if a correction is posted Citation Map Services Email this article to a friend Similar articles in this journal Similar articles in PubMed Alert me to new issues of the journal Download to citation manager Citing Articles Citing Articles via HighWire Citing Articles via Google Scholar Google Scholar Articles by Browne, R. F. J. Articles by Torreggiani, W. C. Search for Related Content PubMed PubMed Citation Articles by Browne, R. F. J. Articles by Torreggiani, W. C. Related Collections Genitourinary Radiology

Transitional Cell Carcinoma of the Upper Urinary Tract: Spectrum of Imaging Findings¹

¹ From the Departments of Radiology (R.F.J.B., C.P.M., J.C., W.C.T.) and Urology (R.P.), Adelaide and Meath Hospital, Tallaght, Dublin 24, Ireland. Presented as an education exhibit at the 2003 RSNA Annual Meeting. Received March 30, 2004; revision requested May 12; final revision received April 21, 2005; accepted April 22. All authors have no financial relationships to disclose. Address correspondence to W.C.T. (e-mail: william.torreggiani{at}amnch.ie).

Transitional cell carcinoma (TCC) accounts for up to 10% of neoplasms of the upper urinary tract and usually manifests as hematuria. Imaging plays an important role in assessment of upper tract disease, unlike in bladder TCC, diagnosis of which is usually made at cystoscopy. Traditional imaging modalities, such as excretory urography, retrograde pyelography, and ultrasonography, still play pivotal roles in diagnosis of upper tract TCC, in combination with endourologic techniques. The multicentric nature of TCC makes assessment of the entire urothelium essential before treatment. The advent of minimally invasive surgery, which allows renal preservation in selected patients, makes accurate tumor staging mandatory to determine the appropriate therapy; staging is usually performed with computed tomography (CT) or magnetic resonance (MR) imaging. Vigilant urologic and radiologic follow-up is warranted to assess for metachronous lesions and recurrence. The emerging technique of CT urography allows detection of urinary tract tumors and calculi, assessment of perirenal tissues, and staging of lesions; it may offer the opportunity for one-stop evaluation in the initial assessment of hematuria and in follow-up of TCC. Similar MR imaging protocols can be used in patients who are not candidates for CT urography, although detection of urinary tract calcifications may be suboptimal.

© RSNA, 2005

This article has been cited by other articles:

				R. Dyer, D. J. DiSantis, and B. L. McClennan Simplified Imaging Approach for Evaluation of the Solid Renal Mass in Adults Radiology, May 1, 2008; 247(2): 331 - 343. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				J Richenberg Haematuria Imaging, March 1, 2008; 20(1): 57 - 72. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				J. R. Leyendecker, C. E. Barnes, and R. J. Zagoria MR Urography: Techniques and Clinical Applications RadioGraphics, January 1, 2008; 28(1): 23 - 46. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]