[Value of radiologic examinations in the diagnosis and staging of upper urinary tract tumors].

From 1980 to 1991, 109 patients were treated for a tumour of the upper urinary tract. All patients were examined by intravenous urography (IVU) which had a sensitivity of 61%. The combination of IVU + RUP established the diagnosis in 72% of cases. Renal ultrasonography and abdominal computed tomography (CT) were performed in 41 and 67 cases, respectively. The sensitivity of ultrasonography was 40% and that of CT was 72%. CT was more sensitive for tumours of the renal pelvis (78%) than for ureteric tumours (53%) (p < 0.02) and when the tumour diameter exceeded 2 cm (70% vs 45%: p < 0.01). The sensitivity of CT for lymph node extension was 47% with an accuracy of 88%. Preoperative CT staging was compared to pathological staging: CT staging had an accuracy of 56%; in 31% of cases, CT underestimated the parietal extension of the tumour. The sensitivity of CT to assess invasion of the renal parenchyma and of the perirenal fat was 52% and 74%, respectively (p < 0.01). Morphological examinations are able to diagnose a tumour of the upper urinary tract in 3 out of 4 cases. Correct preoperative staging can only be achieved on one half of cases, which constitutes a drawback to the development of conservative treatment techniques.