Abstract
A patient with renal cell carcinoma, first presenting because of symptoms from an osseous metastasis, was examined with CT and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). Both the primary tumor and the metastasis were well demonstrated by both methods. MRI tissue characterization showed that the T1 values in the kidney and the metatasis were the same, as were the T2 values. This may mean a potential for the MRI to define primary tumors when a metastasis is found.
Malignant disease frequently manifests with symptoms from metastatic spread. This presents the diagnostic challenge of detection of the primary tumor site. In this search, radiologic methods are important tools. The radiologic arsenal recently has been strengthened with a new modality, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), and we now present the first case that seems to be reported of MRI depiction and tissue characterization of a renal cell carcinoma, first presenting as an osseous metastasis.
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