Multidetector CT of the kidney

Abstract

The technological development of multidetector CT offers new possibilities for better imaging of organic structures that can be used in diagnosis of the kidney. The thinner slices allow a better spatial resolution, and slice fusion allows improved contrast resolution. The isotropic voxel has been realized in the latest 64-channel scanners. The image quality of arbitrarily reconstructed planes has arrived at the image quality of the scan plane. Faster scanning allows studies in different contrast phases, which is helpful for better discrimination of benign or malignant lesions especially in the highly vascularized kidney. Different phases of contrast uptake can be differentiated (arterial, cortico-medullary, nephrographic, and excretory phase). Multidetector CT brings along the risk of increased dose due to thinner slice collimation and overranging phenomena. Indications for CT investigation of the kidney include urolithiasis, tumor diagnosis and staging, renal trauma, and vascular disease. Even in children, special indications for CT of the kidney remain in polytrauma and tumor staging. Multidetector CT of the kidney has become a very valuable tool in urology, but a careful protocol strategy is mandatory.