Thoracic kidney. A report of 2 cases

Area of Science:

• Nephrology
• Anatomical abnormalities
• Trauma surgery

Background:

• Thoracic kidney, displacement of the kidney into the thoracic cavity, is an exceptionally rare congenital or acquired condition.
• Understanding the etiology and presentation of thoracic kidney is crucial for appropriate clinical management.

Observation:

• The study presents two cases illustrating traumatic and congenital thoracic kidney.
• The traumatic case involved a patient with diaphragmatic injury secondary to a motor vehicle accident.
• The congenital case was identified incidentally in an asymptomatic patient with a hiatus hernia.

Findings:

• Both traumatic and congenital thoracic kidneys were successfully managed conservatively with the kidneys left in situ.
• The diaphragmatic injury in the traumatic case was a direct consequence of the accident.
• The congenital thoracic kidney was associated with a pre-existing hiatus hernia.

Implications:

• Conservative management may be a viable option for thoracic kidney, regardless of etiology.
• This case series highlights the importance of considering rare anatomical variations in trauma and incidental findings.
• Further research into the long-term outcomes of in situ management of thoracic kidneys is warranted.