Ultrasonic characterization of solid renal lesions: echographic, angiographic and pathologic correlation.

Seventy-two patients with solid renal lesions were studied by renal echography and the echography and the results were correlated with angiography and pathologic examination of excised specimens. Thirty-one tumors were diagnosed by echography and were proved by angiography and pathology. Renal tumors are either more echo-producing or less echogenic than adjacent normal renal parenchyma. All angiographically hypervascular tumors and hypovascular tumors with areas of hemorrhage and necrosis are more echo-producing. Hypovascular homogenous renal carcinomas, transitional cell carcinoma invading the kidney, and metastases are less echo-producing. Pseudo-tumors have the same echo characteristics as surrounding and adjacent normal renal parenchyma.