Renal artery origins: location and distribution in the transverse plane at CT

To determine the in situ location and distribution of the renal artery origins in the transverse plane with computed tomography (CT).

CT scans of the paired main renal arteries in 200 patients (89 men, 111 women) were retrospectively reviewed. The locations of the renal artery origins, defined on the basis of their optimal profile angles, and the angle between them were measured. The degree of aortic atherosclerosis was graded in 119 of the 200 patients.

The origins of 400 paired main renal arteries were identified. A statistically significant difference was found between the average best profile angle on the right (24 degrees [range, 26 degrees-70 degrees]) and that on the left (5 degrees [range, -75 degrees to 38 degrees]) (P < .001). Truly laterally located renal arteries were seen on the right in 11 (5%) of 200 right renal arteries and on the left in 56 (28%) of 200 left renal arteries. One hundred eighty-six (93%) of 200 right ostia and only 40 (20%) of 200 left ostia were in an anterolateral location. One hundred four (52%) of 200 left ostia and three (2%) of 200 right ostia were in a posterolateral location. The prevalence of truly opposite renal arteries was 17%. The average profile angle between the renal artery origins was 161 degrees (range, 72 degrees-225 degrees) and was significantly larger in women (P = .001). No relationship was found between ostial location and patient age or atherosclerotic grade.

In the transverse plane, the location of the origin of the right renal artery tended to be anterolateral and of the left renal artery tended to be posterolateral or lateral. The variation in location and distribution width was great.