Renal vascularization: desciptive study using angiogrphy and dissection

Abstract

Introduction. Variants of blood supply to the kidneys were always at special attention. In many aspects, the relevance of the topic can be explained by the presence of a large number of surgical and non-surgical procedures performed on this organ, the number of which continues to grow. Aim of the study. Variants of blood supply to the kidneys. Materials and methods. The study was performed on 54 kidneys that were preserved in 10% formaldehyde solution and then carefully dissected; and 94 aortograhy’s, obtained from patients, who did not suffer from any renal disease. The obtained data was analyzed using descriptive statistics. Results. One renal artery was found in 45 cases (80.1%) based on dissection and in 63 cases (67.74%) according to angiography. Two renal arteries were found in 11 cases (19.58%) according to the dissected specimens and in 30 cases (32.4%) according to the aortography data. Presegmental division of the renal artery into two branches in 3 cases (5.34%) and three branches - 2 cases (3.56%). Based on the angiography data, presegmental division into two branches was detected in 6 cases (6.45%) and in three branches in 1 case (1.08%). Extrarenal division occurred in 10 cases (17.8%). The superior polar arteries were recorded in 12 cases (21.36%) based on dissection. During angiography the superior polar arteries were in 5 cases (5.38%) and inferior polar arteries as well in 5 cases (5.38%). In comparison with arteries, variants of development of veins are much less common. Accessory right renal vein was detected in 5 cases (9.9%). Late venous confluence was in seven cases (12.46%). We also had a rare case where the adrenal vein drained directly into the upper pole of the kidney (1.78%). In one case (1.78%) we found a left renal vein, which had a retroaortic location. We also found one case (1.78%) of an additional vein on the right and an additional artery on the left. Conclusions. Based on our results renal artery variants are more frequent than venous variants. Accessory renal artery and presegmental branching are seen more often on the right side.