Renal Oncocytoma: Magnetic Resonance Imaging Characteristics

Abstract

A low intensity homogeneous mass on T1-weighted images, which appears as increased intensity on T2-weighted images, the presence of a capsule, central scar or stellate pattern and the absence of either hemorrhage or necrosis suggest oncocytoma. It is in the evaluation of patients with a solitary kidney, poor renal function, advanced age or a small easily resectable renal mass when MRI may help diagnose an oncocytoma and, thus, allow renal sparing surgery. The optimal MRI to evaluate renal masses should include T1-weighted spin echo images and without gadolinium, T2-weighted images and gradient recalled echo images.