Anatomic variation in the origin of the main renal arteries: spiral CTA evaluation

The aim of this study was to provide quantitative data on the origin and trajectory of the main renal arteries using spiral CT angiography and arteriography. Normal renal artery anatomy was assessed on spiral CT angiography (axial transverse sections and shaded-surface-display reconstructions) in 100 patients referred for renal arteriography who had no significant renal artery stenosis. Two hundred major renal arteries were studied. The vast majority of right (88 %) and left (87 %) renal arteries originated between the lower third of the first lumbar vertebra and the lower border of the second lumbar vertebra. In 50 patients both ostia were at the same level; in the remaining 50 patients, the right ostium was located above the left in 37 patients. On the right, the angle of origin varied from -10 to + 55 degrees (mean + 24 degrees ). On the left, the angle of origin varied from + 30 to -55 degrees (mean -11 degrees ). Spiral CT angiography provides additional anatomic data, notably regarding the angle of origin of the renal arteries, that is potentially useful for planning interventional procedures.