The RENAL score, also known as the RENAL Nephrometry Score, is a clinical calculator used in the field of urology. It is specifically designed for patients who are undergoing nephrectomy, a surgical procedure to remove all or part of a kidney. The RENAL score is used to assess the complexity of renal tumors, which can help guide treatment decisions and predict surgical outcomes.
The score is based on five anatomical features of the tumor: Radius (tumor size), Exophytic/endophytic properties, Nearness of tumor to the collecting system or sinus, Anterior/posterior descriptor, and Location relative to polar lines. Each feature is assigned a score, and the total RENAL score ranges from 4 to 12.
The RENAL score is not applicable to patients without renal tumors or those who are not candidates for nephrectomy. It also may not be as accurate in predicting outcomes for patients with multiple renal tumors.
Reference
Jay Simhan, Marc C Smaldone, Kevin J Tsai et al. Objective measures of renal mass anatomic complexity predict rates of major complications following partial nephrectomy. Eur Urol. 2011 Oct;60(4):724-30.
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