[Sonographic detection of thromboses of the renal veins and vena cava in adenocarcinoma of the kidney].

Renal cell carcinoma invades the renal vein and the inferior vena cava in 5-33% and 5-10% of the cases, respectively. The ultrasonic findings of 102 consecutive patients with renal tubular carcinoma were compared with the intraoperative and pathohistological results. With ultrasonography the renal vein could be visualized in 81% on the right and in 54% on the left side. 20 patients showed a thrombosis of the renal vein. The main renal vein could be demonstrated in 10 of 13 cases, with a malignant thrombosis in 7 cases. Ultrasound could not visualize any of the 7 thrombotic small renal vein branches. 4 of 5 tumour thrombi in the inferior vena cava could be shown sonographically. The role of ultrasonography in comparison to phlebography and computed tomography in assessing the normal and pathological venous system of the kidney is described.