How not to miss or mischaracterize a renal cell carcinoma: protocols, pearls, and pitfalls.

OBJECTIVE: MDCT protocol optimization for renal cell carcinoma requires attention to several data acquisition, reconstruction, and display parameters. Specifically, multiple acquisitions with varying coverage, careful timing of each contrast-enhanced phase, and use of 2D and 3D multiplanar displays are required. This article reviews these parameters, supplemented by experience-based pearls and pitfalls.

CONCLUSION: Proper data acquisition and utilization of postprocessing tools are essential to avoid missed diagnoses or misinterpretation when imaging renal cell carcinoma.