Preoperative radiographic evaluation of hypernephroma.

Computed tomography (CT) of hypernephroma is compared with arteriography in terms of accuracy and cost. Computed tomography is shown to be as accurate as arteriography with respect to identification and diagnosis of most renal masses. In selected cases, it has been more accurate than arteriography because of the definition of adjacent retroperitoneum and tumor extent. Most of our patients having CT have required supplemental inferior vena cavography preoperatively, and a few selected cases have required arteriography. Nevertheless, the renal arteriogram can be omitted in most cases because CT is effective in diagnosing and staging hypernephroma, in addition to being noninvasive and more cost-effective.