Classification and Diagnosis of Cystic Renal Tumors Role of MR Imaging Versus Contrast-Enhanced Ultrasound

Superior soft tissue and contrast resolution of MR imaging benefits sensitivity to kidney cyst features and classification, which may have an impact on patient management and outcomes. Contrast-enhanced ultrasound (CEUS) may have nearly similar sensitivity for detection of cyst features yet is dependent on patient body habitus and adequacy of visualization windows for the kidneys, which does not have the same impact on MR imaging results. Both MR imaging and CEUS may provide superior kidney cyst assessment compared with contrast-enhanced CT; however, further research is needed, particularly for the identification of role of CEUS.