[Etiology and diagnosis of thoracic kidney (author's transl)]

Intrathoracic mass lesions revealed on routine chest-x-rays may represent high renal ectopia. This is particularly true in cases of dorso-basal location and in the absence of symptoms. On a case herein reported the value of excretory urography as important diagnostic procedure is demonstrated. The significance of angiographic features for etiological classification will be discussed. A comprehensive review of the relevant literature is given.