Rhabdoid tumour of the kidney: imaging findings.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Rhabdoid tumour of the kidney (RTK) is a rare tumour, but it is the most aggressive malignant neoplasm of the kidney in children. OBJECTIVE: To analyse the radiological findings of RTK in children. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The clinical and radiological findings in seven children (age range 6 months to 4.7 years; median 18 months) with pathologically proven RTK were retrospectively reviewed. We analysed tumour size, tumour location, tumour margin, subcapsular haematoma, tumour necrosis, haemorrhage, calcification and lymphadenopathy. RESULTS: Tumour size varied from 5 to 12 cm. Four tumours were located mainly in the central portion of the kidney, while three tumours were mainly sited peripherally. The margins of the tumour were ill-defined in four (57%) of seven cases, a lobulated tumour surface was depicted in all seven (100%), subcapsular haematoma was present in four (57%), tumour necrosis or haemorrhage in seven (100%), calcifications in three (43%) and retroperitoneal lymphadenopathy in four (57%). CONCLUSIONS: Imaging findings of RTK are subcapsular haematoma, a lobulated surface of the tumour, calcification and tumour necrosis or haemorrhage.