Horseshoe kidneys

Case contributed by Mohammad Taghi Niknejad
Diagnosis certain

Presentation

Work up for hematuria.

Patient Data

Age: 30 years
Gender: Male
ct

The lower poles of both kidneys are seen pointing medially and fused across the midline by an isthmus of functioning renal tissue, with anteriorly malrotated hila inferring horseshoe kidneys. Normal parenchymal thickness and density of both kidneys are evident. 

A few adjacent stones with a total diameter of 16 mm and a mean attenuation value of 1055HU are present in the left renal collecting system. There are also a few tiny stones less than 2 mm at both renal calyces.

Case Discussion

Horseshoe kidneys are the most common type of renal fusion anomaly, frequently associated with both genitourinary and non-genitourinary malformations, also seen as part of some syndromes. They are an independent risk factor for developing renal calculi and transitional cell carcinoma of the renal pelvis.

How to use cases

You can use Radiopaedia cases in a variety of ways to help you learn and teach.

Creating your own cases is easy.

Updating… Please wait.

 Unable to process the form. Check for errors and try again.

 Thank you for updating your details.