Multimodal imaging in evaluation of two cases of adenocarcinoma of the renal pelvis

Primary adenocarcinoma arising in the renal pelvis is a rare entity. Two cases are presented in which computed tomography (CT), ultrasound, and antegrade pyelography were performed in addition to conventional urographic methods. One patient's multifocal tumor involving several calyces was best demonstrated by ultrasound; the other patient's centrally placed pelvic mass was seen by CT. Adenocarcinomas are etiologically linked to repeated infection. Although it has been stated in previous reviews that the diagnosis of malignancy is seldom made preoperatively in these patients, the use of CT, ultrasound, and antegrade pyelography allowed the diagnosis to be made prospectively in both cases.