Crossed renal ectopia: angiographic findings in six cases

Area of Science:

• Urology
• Radiology
• Anatomy

Background:

• Crossed renal ectopia is a rare congenital anomaly where one or both kidneys are located on the contralateral side of the abdomen.
• It can be associated with other urinary tract abnormalities and may present diagnostic challenges.

Purpose of the Study:

• To describe the angiographic findings in patients with crossed renal ectopia.
• To highlight the variations in renal artery supply in these cases.
• To emphasize the importance of preoperative angiography.

Main Methods:

• Retrospective review of six patients diagnosed with crossed renal ectopia.
• Analysis of angiographic data to identify kidney position and vascular supply.
• Classification of ectopia type (fused or single).

Main Results:

• Four cases of crossed fused ectopia and two cases of single crossed ectopic kidneys were identified.
• All kidneys, ectopic or otherwise, exhibited anomalous arterial blood supply.
• Renal arteries originated from the aorta (above and below normal) and iliac arteries, with no consistent pattern observed.

Conclusions:

• Anomalous vascular supply is a consistent finding in crossed renal ectopia.
• Preoperative angiography is crucial for surgical planning in patients with crossed renal ectopia.
• Detailed vascular assessment aids in preventing intraoperative complications.