Unanticipated discovery of vascular anomalies by hemodialysis catheter placement. Case report

Area of Science:

• Pediatric Nephrology
• Vascular Surgery
• Radiology

Background:

• Hemodialysis catheter placement is a common procedure for pediatric patients with end-stage renal disease awaiting transplantation.
• Living-related renal transplantation requires precise pre-operative planning, including detailed vascular anatomy assessment.

Observation:

• An unusual position of a hemodialysis catheter was noted on a post-procedural chest X-ray.
• This unexpected finding in a pediatric patient prompted a deeper investigation into the patient's vascular anatomy.

Findings:

• The investigation revealed an aberrant iliac artery course, a rare anatomical variation.
• This aberrant anatomy significantly altered the planned surgical approach for the renal transplant.

Implications:

• Highlights the importance of thorough pre-operative imaging and vigilance for unexpected anatomical variations.
• Emphasizes the need for adaptable surgical strategies in pediatric renal transplantation.
• Underscores potential complications arising from seemingly routine procedures like catheter placement.