Diagnostic Performance of Multiphase Multidetector CT in the Differentiation of Renal Cell Carcinoma (RCC) Subtypes

Levent Celik; Mahmut Kebapçı; Fuat Açıkalın; Cavit Can

doi:10.31067/acusaglik.1806731

Diagnostic Performance of Multiphase Multidetector CT in the Differentiation of Renal Cell Carcinoma (RCC) Subtypes

Abstract

Purpose: This study aimed to determine the applicability of quantitative multiphase multidetector computed tomography (MDCT) enhancement parameters for diagnosing renal cell carcinoma (RCC) subtypes and evaluate their discriminating capability. Methods: This retrospective study included 72 patients with histopathologically confirmed RCC from 2009 to 2013. The patients included 58 with clear-cell RCC (ccRCC), 7 with papillary RCC, and 7 with chromophobe RCC. Patients underwent multiphase MDCT for quantitative enhancement parameter calculations, including corticomedullary and excretory enhancement difference (ΔHU) and standardized enhancement ratios. Cutoff values for subtypes were determined using receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis. Results: Corticomedullary ΔHU parameters showed best performance across all phases. The highest sensitivity, specificity, and accuracy (sensitivity 93%, specificity 100%, accuracy 94%) were associated with a ΔHU cutoff of > 47 HU. A standardized corticomedullary enhancement ratio of > 0.31 yielded 93% sensitivity, 93% specificity, and 93% accuracy. The washout enhancement pattern showed lower performance, with 79% accuracy and 92% specificity. The corticomedullary phase performed significantly better than the excretory phase (p<0.05). Conclusion: Quantitative enhancement parameters from multiphase MDCT, particularly during the corticomedullary phase, provide a robust method for distinguishing ccRCC from non–clear cell subtypes with high diagnostic accuracy, supporting their routine clinical integration.

Keywords

Ethical Statement

This article was derived from the author’s medical thesis titled “The Role of Multidetector Computed Tomography in the Diagnosis of Renal Masses,” completed in 2014 at Eskişehir Osmangazi University Faculty of Medicine. The data used in this study were obtained retrospectively from the institutional PACS archive and pathology records of that period. The study was approved by the Eskişehir Osmangazi University Faculty of Medicine Non-Pharmaceutical Clinical Research Ethics Committee (Decision No: 06, Date: 28.05.2013). No additional ethical approval was required, as the research was conducted on previously collected data and involved no new patient recruitment.

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Details

Primary Language

English

Subjects

Radiology and Organ Imaging

Journal Section

Research Article

Authors

Levent Celik ^*
0000-0001-7030-4999
Türkiye

Mahmut Kebapçı
0000-0002-2856-9923
Türkiye

Fuat Açıkalın
0000-0003-1708-467X
Türkiye

Cavit Can
0000-0003-2267-2759
Türkiye

Publication Date

March 13, 2026

Submission Date

November 1, 2025

Acceptance Date

February 10, 2026

Published in Issue

Year 2026 Volume: 17 Number: January, February, March 2026

DOI

https://doi.org/10.31067/acusaglik.1806731

IZ

https://izlik.org/JA98ZS28ZD

Cite

RIS / Bibtex

EndNote

Celik L, Kebapçı M, Açıkalın F, Can C (March 1, 2026) Diagnostic Performance of Multiphase Multidetector CT in the Differentiation of Renal Cell Carcinoma (RCC) Subtypes. Acıbadem Üniversitesi Sağlık Bilimleri Dergisi 17 January, February, March 2026