[Incidence of left renal vein anomalies in routine abdominal CT scans]

Abstract

Purpose: To study the appearance and incidence of left renal vein anomalies in abdominal CT examinations.

Materials and methods: One thousand and three abdominal CT examinations were reviewed retrospectively for the presence of left renal vein anomalies. Nineteen CT scans were excluded from the study because of technical or patient-dependent factors. The course of the left renal vein was assessed on the CT slices to detect any anomalies.

Results: Left renal vein anomaly was detected in 32 (3.2%) of 984 cases. Twenty-three (2.3%) of them were a retroaortic and 9 (0.9%) of them were a circumaortic left renal vein.

Conclusion: It is important to detect left renal vein anomalies before retroperitoneal surgery or interventional procedures. These anomalies can be identified in routine abdominal CT examinations with a careful inspection.