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Horseshoe kidney

Case contributed by Prashant Mudgal
Diagnosis certain

Presentation

Middle aged patient presented with vague abdominal pain.

Patient Data

Age: 55 years
Gender: Male
ct

Lower poles of both the kidneys are fused in the mid-line. Both the kidneys are malrotated. Renal tissue is normal in appearance and enhancement. No associated urogenital or other abnormality is detected.

Case Discussion

Horseshoe kidney is the most common renal fusion anomaly. Most of the cases are sporadic, but it can be associated with other  urogenital and non-urogenital anomalies.

Although horseshoe kidneys are asymptomatic they may give rise to certain complications as a result of poor drainage, such as urolithiasis. There is increased risk of malignancy associated with this anomaly. Also the abnormal midline location of both the lower poles makes it more susceptible to trauma.

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