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Intrathoracic kidney, a rare condition, is often incidentally discovered on chest X-rays. This finding should be considered in diagnosing posterior mediastinal masses.
Area of Science:
- Medical Imaging
- Thoracic Surgery
- Pediatric Radiology
Background:
- Intrathoracic kidney is a rare congenital anomaly where the kidney is located within the chest cavity.
- It is often asymptomatic and discovered incidentally during imaging for other conditions.
Observation:
- This study presents five cases of intrathoracic kidney.
- Diagnosis was incidental in three patients with upper respiratory infections and one infant post-hyaline membrane disease.
- One patient presented with an abdominal mass.
Findings:
- All five patients had a left-sided intrathoracic kidney.
- Two patients also had a left Bochdalek hernia.
- Intrathoracic kidney can present as a posterior mediastinal mass.
Implications:
- Intrathoracic kidney should be included in the differential diagnosis for posterior mediastinal masses.
- Early recognition aids in appropriate management and surgical planning.
- Further research into the embryological basis and long-term outcomes is warranted.
Abstract:
Five cases of intrathoracic kidney are presented, and the literature is reviewed. The diagnosis was made incidentally in 3 patients who had chest radiographs because of upper respiratory tract infections and in 1 infant on a follow-up radiograph after recovery from hyaline membrane disease. The fifth patient had an abdominal mass. All 5 patients had a left intrathoracic kidney, and 2 had a left Bochdalek hernia. An intrathoracic kidney should be considered in the differential diagnosis of a posterior mediastinal mass.