There are more anatomical variants in heaven and earth, Horatio, than are dreamt of in our philosophy: the precaval left renal artery

Abstract

Aim

To describe the CT findings in eight patients with left-sided inferior vena cava (IVC) in whom the left renal artery presented a precaval course (pLRA).

Materials and methods

We searched the teaching files of six radiology departments for patients with pLRAs. Eight patients were found, and the available imaging studies and clinical histories were reviewed. Associated vascular and renal anomalies were noted.

Results

No patient had been examined for problems related to the vascular anomaly found. Four had a double IVC and two a solitary left IVC; in all, the left-sided IVCs had hemiazygos continuation. One patient had situs viscerum inversus. In one case, there was a left kidney in left iliac fossa.

Conclusion

Although rare and probably overlooked, a pLRAs can be encountered in patients with situs viscerum inversus or presenting a left-sided IVC with hemiazygos continuation. These vessels can cause technical problems during surgery at the left renal hilum and should be specifically searched for in patients with vascular anomalies.

from #Head and Neck by Sfakianakis via simeraentaxei on Inoreader http://bit.ly/2G0orL7