Objective: To analyze the CT appearance of papillary renal cell tumor (pRCT
) under consideration of gross pathology. Material and Methods: Preoperativ
e CT-scans of 10 patients suffering from pRCT were re-evaluated by two expe
rienced radiologists. CT appearance was correlated to gross morphology. Res
ults: On CT, 9/10 tumors were depicted as rounded, well circumscribed and s
harply delineated masses. These tumors presented a hypodense central area c
orrelating to necrosis in gross pathology. The central area of necrosis was
surrounded by vital tumor tissue, presenting as a serpiginous, contrast-en
hancing margin on CT. One tumor was polycyclic due to multiple tumor nodule
s, but sharply demarcated towards the surrounding renal tissue. Conclusions
: pRCT presents a quite unique CT appearance similar to its gross pathology
.