[The value and limitations of sonography and angiography in the investigation of renal masses (author's transl)].

The diagnostic value of ultrasound and angiography is compared in 80 renal masses. Whereas the overall accuracy is approximately the same (95%), there are inherent limitations to both methods. As to sonography, the limiting factors consist of size, complex echopattern and lack of tissue distinction. Angiography, on the other hand, has its limitations in hypovascular tumors as well as in benign lesions simulating malignancy (abscess, hamartoma).