If the bone scan shows areas of abnormal radiotracer uptake suspicious for osseous metastases, SPECT fused with CT can be used to provide detailed anatomic localization of the abnormal radiotracer uptake and further improve the characterization of the nature of the abnormality [14]. CT Abdomen Preoperative imaging of RCC provides critical information on staging and serves as a roadmap to the surgeon. Both CT and MRI are comparable in the staging of the primary tumor [15,16]. Advantages of CT include rapid acquisition time, which may translate to better patient compliance, and high spatial resolution. Hence it is often the most commonly used modality for this indication. CT abdomen without and with IV contrast is typically performed for charactering a renal mass as RCC and staging the tumor. However, in patients with contraindications to iodinated contrast, only unenhanced CT may be possible, limiting the assessment. MRI abdomen may be useful in this setting, given the superior soft tissue resolution of MRI compared to unenhanced CT. CT Abdomen and Pelvis Preoperative imaging of RCC provides critical information on staging and serves as a roadmap to the surgeon. Both CT and MRI are comparable in staging of the primary tumor [15,16]. Advantages of CT include rapid acquisition time, which may translate to better patient compliance, and high spatial resolution. Hence, it is often the most commonly used modality for this indication. CT abdomen without and with IV contrast is typically performed for charactering a renal mass as RCC and staging the tumor. However, in patients with contraindications to iodinated contrast, only unenhanced CT may be possible, limiting the assessment. MRI abdomen may be useful in this setting, given the superior soft tissue resolution of MRI compared to unenhanced CT. There is no relevant literature with high-quality evidence regarding the use of CT of the pelvis in the staging of RCC.
Staging of Renal Cell Carcinoma. If the bone scan shows areas of abnormal radiotracer uptake suspicious for osseous metastases, SPECT fused with CT can be used to provide detailed anatomic localization of the abnormal radiotracer uptake and further improve the characterization of the nature of the abnormality [14]. CT Abdomen Preoperative imaging of RCC provides critical information on staging and serves as a roadmap to the surgeon. Both CT and MRI are comparable in the staging of the primary tumor [15,16]. Advantages of CT include rapid acquisition time, which may translate to better patient compliance, and high spatial resolution. Hence it is often the most commonly used modality for this indication. CT abdomen without and with IV contrast is typically performed for charactering a renal mass as RCC and staging the tumor. However, in patients with contraindications to iodinated contrast, only unenhanced CT may be possible, limiting the assessment. MRI abdomen may be useful in this setting, given the superior soft tissue resolution of MRI compared to unenhanced CT. CT Abdomen and Pelvis Preoperative imaging of RCC provides critical information on staging and serves as a roadmap to the surgeon. Both CT and MRI are comparable in staging of the primary tumor [15,16]. Advantages of CT include rapid acquisition time, which may translate to better patient compliance, and high spatial resolution. Hence, it is often the most commonly used modality for this indication. CT abdomen without and with IV contrast is typically performed for charactering a renal mass as RCC and staging the tumor. However, in patients with contraindications to iodinated contrast, only unenhanced CT may be possible, limiting the assessment. MRI abdomen may be useful in this setting, given the superior soft tissue resolution of MRI compared to unenhanced CT. There is no relevant literature with high-quality evidence regarding the use of CT of the pelvis in the staging of RCC.