OBJECTIVE: To determine the characteristics of Multi-detector Row CT (MDCT) image in distinguishing renal tumors from non-renal tumors within the perirenal space in infants and children. METHODS: Data from 40 patients with surgically and pathologically proved retroperitoneal neoplasms within the perirenal space were collected. Based on the pathological findings, the patients were divided into renal tumor group (n=14) and non-renal tumor group (n=26). The major clinical characteristics and CT characteristics of the two groups were compared. RESULTS: Incomplete renal contour with "crescent sign", "beak sign", "embedded kidney sign" and "prominent feeding artery sign" appeared in renal tumors more often than in non-renal tumors (P < 0.05). The sign of "renal displacement and renal axis rotation" and "extra-renal central plane of tumor" appeared more often in non-renal tumors than in renal tumors (P < 0.05). Large solid tumors with "pseudocapsule", "necrosis and cystic change", "vascularity", inferior vena cava tumor thrombus, and distant metastasis were more likely to be renal tumors than non-renal tumors (P < 0.05). Irregular mass with calcifications appeared more often in non-renal tumors than in renal tumors (P < 0.05). CONCLUSION: MDCT can detect the location, origin and histological feature of retroperitoneal neoplasms in infants and children. The MDCT characteristics can help differentiate renal and non-renal tumors within the perirenal space.
OBJECTIVE: To determine the characteristics of Multi-detector Row CT (MDCT) image in distinguishing renal tumors from non-renal tumors within the perirenal space in infants and children. METHODS: Data from 40 patients with surgically and pathologically proved retroperitoneal neoplasms within the perirenal space were collected. Based on the pathological findings, the patients were divided into renal tumor group (n=14) and non-renal tumor group (n=26). The major clinical characteristics and CT characteristics of the two groups were compared. RESULTS: Incomplete renal contour with "crescent sign", "beak sign", "embedded kidney sign" and "prominent feeding artery sign" appeared in renal tumors more often than in non-renal tumors (P < 0.05). The sign of "renal displacement and renal axis rotation" and "extra-renal central plane of tumor" appeared more often in non-renal tumors than in renal tumors (P < 0.05). Large solid tumors with "pseudocapsule", "necrosis and cystic change", "vascularity", inferior vena cava tumor thrombus, and distant metastasis were more likely to be renal tumors than non-renal tumors (P < 0.05). Irregular mass with calcifications appeared more often in non-renal tumors than in renal tumors (P < 0.05). CONCLUSION: MDCT can detect the location, origin and histological feature of retroperitoneal neoplasms in infants and children. The MDCT characteristics can help differentiate renal and non-renal tumors within the perirenal space.