Technological progress in medical imaging runs in parallel to progress in computers, with an ever-increasing image acquisition rate and increasingly fine image reconstruction. Following the appearance, several years ago, of spiral acquisition CT, the multiplication of detectors (multi-array CT) has opened up new possibilities for investigation, especially in the field of renal tumours, where CT is now the first-line investigation due to the information obtained for characterization, vascular anatomical relations, and staging. The development of partial surgery (in which the detection of satellite lesions is essential) and minimally invasive laparoscopic surgery will be able to take full advantage of this progress in imaging by anticipating operative difficulties (number of tumours, situation and branches of arteries and veins or their collaterals, venous thrombus, relations with the urinary tract). Volume acquisition allows representation of these elements in the various dimensions, facilitating interpretation of the images.