Horseshoe kidney
| Horseshoe kidney | |
|---|---|
| Specialty | Medical genetics  |
Horseshoe kidney, also known as renal fusion, is a congenital disorder affecting about 1 in 400 people[1]. In this disorder, the patient's kidneys fuse together to form a horseshoe-shape during development in the womb.
Fusion abnormalities of the kidney can be categorized into two groups: horseshoe kidney and crossed fused ectopia. The horseshoe kidney is the most common renal fusion anomaly.
Presentation
In patients with this condition, the central portion of the kidney may be found just inferior to the inferior mesenteric artery because the normal embryologic ascent of the kidneys is arrested by its presence in people with central fusion of the kidneys.[2] Horseshoe kidney is often asymptomatic, though persons affected by this condition may experience nausea, abdominal discomfort, kidney stones and urinary tract infections at greater frequency than those without renal fusion. There is currently no cure for renal fusion other than symptomatic treatment. The actor Mel Gibson is afflicted with this condition[3]
Associated conditions
While most cases of horseshoe kidneys are asymptomatic and discovered upon autopsy, the condition may increase the risk for:
- Kidney Obstruction - abnormal placement of ureter may lead to obstruction and dilation of the kidney.
- Kidney Infections - associated with vesicoureteral reflux.
- Kidney Stones - deviant orientation of kidneys combined with slow urine flow and kidney obstruction may lead to kidney stones.
- Kidney Cancer - increased risk of renal cancer, especially Wilms' tumor, transitional cell carcinoma, and carcinoid tumor. Despite increased risk, the overall risk is still relatively low.
The prevalence of horseshoe kidneys in females with Turner Syndrome is about 15%.[4]
It can be associated with trisomy 18.[5]
External links
References
- ^ Gupta M, Pandey AK, Goyal N (2007). "Horseshoe kidney--a case report". Nepal Medical College journal : NMCJ. 9 (1): 63–6. PMID 17593682.
{{cite journal}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link) - ^ Oktem H, Gozil R, Calguner E; et al. (2008). "Morphometric study of a horseshoe kidney". Med Princ Pract. 17 (1): 80–3. doi:10.1159/000109596. PMID 18059107.
{{cite journal}}: Explicit use of et al. in:|author=(help)CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link) - ^ http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eTMwsUHmufA&feature=channel
- ^ Kleta R, Brämswig JH (2000). 1 "Horseshoe kidney and Turner syndrome". Nephrol. Dial. Transplant. 15 (7): 1094. doi:10.1093/ndt/15.7.1094-b. PMID 10862660.
{{cite journal}}: Check|url=value (help) - ^ "Renal Pathology". Retrieved 2008-11-26.
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