Renal ectopia overview

Editor-In-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [1]; Associate Editor(s)-in-Chief: Cafer Zorkun M.D., PhD.[2], L.Farrukh [3]

Renal ectopia describes a kidney that is not located in its usual position. It results from the kidney failing to ascend from its origin in the true pelvis or from a superiorly ascended kidney located in the thorax. Congenital renal and urinary tract anomalies are not infrequent. Renal anomalies include horseshoe kidney (HSK) and crossed fused renal ectopia (CFRE) and complete fusion represented by ‘cake’ kidney or fused pelvic kidney. These renal fusion anomalies exhibit abnormalities of position (ectopia), migration, rotation and vascular supply. They occur more frequently in males. Many anomalies remain asymptomatic and incidentally detected at autopsy, surgery or radiological investigations. Less frequently they may be associated with anomalies of skeletal, cardiovascular, genitourinary and gastrointestinal systems. Presence of such renal ectopia poses difficulties and complications during abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) surgery, retroperitoneal and pelvic surgeries, renal transplantation and interventional procedures. Thorough understanding of their anatomical and radiological features aids in their surgical management and avoid complications.

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