Three-dimensional nephrometry scoring system: a precise scoring system to evaluate complexity of renal tumors suitable for partial nephrectomy

PURPOSE: Several nephrometry scoring systems have been developed based on two-dimensional computerized tomography images to quantify anatomical features of renal tumors. We have developed an accurate three-dimensional nephrometry scoring system to respond to the urgent need for advanced systems based on three-dimensional images. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed 135 patients who underwent partial nephrectomy in our institution. Stereoscopic models were reconstructed from preoperative computerized tomography images and three-dimensional scores were assigned directly on stereoscopic models. All tumors were analyzed for following features: tumor volume; endophytic tumor proportion; renal vascular variations; tumor’s relationships with urinary collecting system or renal sinus; longitudinal distance from tumor to equatorial plane. Correlation between three-dimensional score and warm ischemic time was calculated compared with existing classical nephrometry scoring systems. The value of nephrometry scoring systems predicting longer warm ischemic time was explored by receiver operating characteristic curves. RESULTS: Mean tumor volume was 31.25 ml; endophytic volume was less than 50% in 42 cases, more than 50% in 79 cases, and 100% in 14 cases; mean longitudinal distance from tumor to equatorial plane was 1.41 cm; 30 patients (22.2%) presented renal vascular variations; 18 cases (13.3%) involved both urinary collecting system and sinus. Mean three-dimensional score was 8.3. Variance analysis and covariance analysis revealed warm ischemic time a significant association with all evaluated tumor features. Furthermore, three-dimensional scores most highly correlated with warm ischemic time (rs = 0.64, p < 0.001), followed by R.E.N.A.L. scores (rs = 0.21, p = 0.012), centrality index (rs = − 0.20, p = 0.019) and Preoperative Aspects and Dimensions Used for Anatomy score (rs = 0.20, p = 0.019). Area under curve of above nephrometry scoring systems was 0.91, 0.67, 0.68 and 0.67 respectively (p < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: The three-dimensional scoring system developed in this study was a highly-accurate system to quantify the anatomical features of renal tumors. It was identified to have a value in predicting duration of warm ischemic time.