Renal cell carcinoma: magnetic resonance imaging and computerized tomography

Surgical data of eight patients who underwent nephrectomy for renal cell carcinoma were compared with the findings of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and, in five of these, with those of computerized tomography (CT) as well. In another three patients, only CT and MRI were available, since the presence of metastases precluded surgery. In general, MRI and CT accurately displayed local tumor extension, whereas magnetic resonance was superior to computed tomography in demonstrating tumor involvement of large venous structures.