Urol. praxi. 2026;27(1):18-22 | DOI: 10.36290/uro.2025.081

Imaging of tumours of the kidney and urinary tract using computed tomography

MUDr. Jan Pernický, Ph.D.¹, MUDr. Petr Stránský ml.², prof. MUDr. Jiří Ferda, Ph.D.¹, prof. MUDr. Milan Hora, Ph.D., MBA²

¹ Klinika zobrazovacích metod, Fakultní nemocnice Plzeň

² Urologická klinika, Fakultní nemocnice Plzeň

Computed tomography (CT) is the fundamental imaging technique in diagnosing tumours of the kidney and urinary tract. It enables the detection, characterization, and staging of renal and urothelial cancers and remains the method of choice owing to its high spatial and temporal resolution and wide availability. Multiphase protocols provide detailed information on lesion morphology and enhancement characteristics, including assessment of lymph node involvement and distant metastases. CT urograp­hy is crucial for diagnosing urothelial carcinomas of the upper and lower urinary tracts. The main limitations of CT are the difficult differential diagnosis of some benign and malignant lesions and the limited ability to assess the depth of bladder cancer invasion. The development of spectral techniques and dual-energy testing brings new possibilities, particularly in terms of reducing the radiation burden and improving the quality of the imaging data obtained.

Keywords: imaging techniques, computed tomography, CT urography, renal carcinoma, urothelial carcinoma.

Received: October 7, 2025; Revised: October 23, 2025; Accepted: October 27, 2025; Prepublished online: October 27, 2025; Published: March 16, 2026  Show citation