Ectopic left kidney, a strange case

 Ultrasound imaging ectopic kidney with malrotation:

• The right kidney is present in the right renal fossa, which is the normal location for the right kidney.
• The left kidney is not seen in the left renal fossa, which is the normal location for the left kidney.
• The left kidney is located to the right of the umbilicus, which is an abnormal location for the left kidney.
• The left kidney shows malrotation, which means that the kidney is rotated abnormally on its axis. In this case, the malrotation is such that the pelvis of the kidney is located anteriorly, which is the opposite of the normal orientation.
• The left renal artery and vein were seen, which indicates that the left kidney is vascularized and functioning normally.
• The patient has a history of left renal calculus which was removed surgically.

Ultrasound images are shown below:

Prognosis:

The prognosis for this patient is generally good. Ectopic kidneys with malrotation are usually asymptomatic and do not cause any problems. However, in some cases, they can be associated with complications such as kidney stones, hydronephrosis, or urinary tract infections. If the patient experiences any of these complications, they may need to be treated with medication or surgery.

The management of ectopic kidneys with malrotation is usually conservative. This means that there is no specific treatment required unless the kidney is causing complications. In those cases, surgery may be necessary to correct the malrotation or to remove the kidney if it is not functioning properly.

In this case, the patient has a history of left renal calculus but the kidney is currently functioning normally. Therefore, the patient is likely to be managed conservatively with regular ultrasound scans to monitor the kidney for any signs of complications.

More information on this:

The incidence of ectopic kidneys is estimated to be between 1 in 1000 and 1 in 10,000 people. The cause of ectopic kidneys is unknown, but it is thought to be due to a combination of genetic and environmental factors.

Ectopic kidneys can be located anywhere along the path that the kidneys normally take to their final position in the abdomen. The most common location for an ectopic kidney is in the pelvis, followed by the chest. In the case of this patient, the left kidney is located to the right of the umbilicus, which is a relatively rare location.

Ectopic kidneys are often asymptomatic, but they can sometimes cause problems such as urinary tract infections, hydronephrosis (enlargement of the kidney due to a blockage in the ureter), and kidney stones. If an ectopic kidney is causing problems, it may need to be surgically removed.

Also note:

* Ectopic kidneys are more common in males than females.

* Ectopic kidneys can be associated with other congenital abnormalities, such as urinary tract defects, spinal cord defects, and heart defects.

* The prognosis for people with ectopic kidneys is generally good, but it depends on the severity of the abnormality and whether or not there are any associated complications.

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Sonography of kidneys