The relationship between renal vasculature and surface anatomy

Abstract

Introduction: Kidney anatomy variations and malformation present an important field of study for fundamental as well as clinical sciences. The renal parenchyma along with its vascular supply has a tight embryological and developmental relationship. Renal fetal lobulation is considered as a rare variation of development. But the frequency of this anomaly is higher and can be associated with vascular variations. The presence of vascular variations can cause alteration in kidney circulation resulting in lobulated appearance of the kidney. Purpose and Objectives: The purpose of the study is to show that fetal lobulation is a more frequent structural variation and is usually associated with vascular developmental changes. Material and Methods: The study was performed using macroscopic dissection of48 kidneys along with their vessels. The acquired data were analyzed using Statistical Package for the Social Sciences. Results: Renal vascular anomalies are quite frequent but they are rarely accompanied by changes in the organ. The frequency of fetal lobulation is 0,5-1% in the current data. Our results indicate that this normally can be encountered much more often. Out of the 48 kidneys 13 had some degree of fetal lobulation on their surface representing 27.09% of cases. From 13 kidneys bilateral fetal lobulation was identified in 8 (61.5%), 5 kidneys had unilateral lobulation (38.5%). 9 kidneys (69.23%) had variations in the development of blood vessels, from which 6 specimens had a superior polar artery, 1 specimen - presegmental branching of the renal artery, 2 specimens had two renal arteries. Conclusion: Fetal lobulation is a more frequent variation of development than it is usually described in the literature. Our data indicates that quite often (69.23%) fetal lobulation is accompanied by some degree of vascular variation of development which can be polar or additional arteries as well as presegmented branching of the renal artery. This knowledge can be useful in different diagnostic procedures in order to determine the possibility of vascular anomalies as well as other changes in the excretory system.