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Imaging of a supernumerary kidney
A P Koureas1, E C Panourgias, A D Gouliamos
1Department of Radiology, University of Athens, Areteion Hospital, Athens, Greece.
European Radiology
|November 30, 2000
Summary
A patient with right lower quadrant pain was found to have three kidneys, two on the left side connected by a parenchymal bridge. This rare congenital anomaly was discovered during imaging for abdominal pain.
Area of Science:
- Urology
- Medical Imaging
- Congenital Anomalies
Background:
- Abdominal pain is a common presenting symptom requiring thorough diagnostic evaluation.
- Congenital renal anomalies, though rare, can manifest with varied clinical presentations.
- Advanced imaging modalities like computed tomography are crucial for diagnosing complex anatomical variations.
Observation:
- A 33-year-old female presented with right lower quadrant pain.
- Excretory urography and computed tomography revealed a duplicated renal system on the left side.
- The two left kidneys were normal in size and appeared complete, connected by a small parenchymal bridge, with a normal right kidney.
Findings:
- The primary finding was a rare case of supernumerary kidneys (three kidneys total).
- The duplicated kidneys on the left exhibited a small parenchymal bridge, indicating a specific type of renal duplication.
- The patient's abdominal pain was ultimately attributed to a right ovarian cyst, unrelated to the renal anomaly.
Implications:
- This case highlights the importance of comprehensive imaging in patients with abdominal pain, even when a clear cause is identified.
- Understanding supernumerary kidney variations is essential for accurate diagnosis and management in urology.
- The incidental discovery of this rare anomaly underscores the diagnostic capabilities of modern imaging techniques.