Ectopic vascularization of the right kidney arising from contralateral common iliac artery

Variant renal arteries have been reported in 20~30% of the entire population. The anatomic variations among advanced patients should be investigated when performing surgery or interventional procedures on the kidney. Most variant renal arteries originated from various level of the abdominal aorta. Very rarely, this case shows renal artery originated from the contralateral common iliac artery with other accessory arteries.

MDCT angiography revealed several anatomical variants of the right kidney. There were four right renal arteries. The main renal artery originated from the left proximal common iliac artery and other renal artery originated from the aortic bifurcation. The other two renal arteries arose from the abdominal aorta, lower thoracic T12 level and lower lumbar L4 level. The right kidney was located at the level of the third to fifth lumbar vertebra. And renal pelvis of the right kidney was laterally rotated.

This case documented a rare anatomic variant, involving multiple accessory renal arteries, including the main artery originating from the contralateral iliac artery, caused by a specific renal embryological condition. These variants should be analysed to effectively perform surgical and interventional procedures.