- Strengths
- dedicated study to: 1) assess renal lesion of indeterminate etiology or atypical cyst ; 2) Staging of renal cell CA / involvement of adjacent soft tissue and vascular structures.
- Limitations
- Use standard CT abdomen study to just screen for kidney involvement, assessment of pyelonephritis and others (less radiation exposure to patient than multiphase and provides evaluation of other abdominal organs too).
- Contraindications
- 1) Allergy to contrast, but we will premedicate patient as necessary; 2) IV contrast will be dose-adjusted dependent upon creatinine clearance.
- CPT Code
- 74170
- Exact format for order to be authorized
- CT abdomen with and without IV contrast. No oral contrast.
- Patient Preparation
- NPO 4 hours, but can take meds with small sip of water.
