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Case Reports
. 2022 Jun 4;17(8):2795-2797.
doi: 10.1016/j.radcr.2022.05.036. eCollection 2022 Aug.

Intrathoracic kidney: A rare presentation of ectopic kidney

Behnam Kian  1 , Mehrdad Kayedi  1 , Arash Teimouri  1
Affiliations
Case Reports

Intrathoracic kidney: A rare presentation of ectopic kidney

Behnam Kian et al. Radiol Case Rep. .

Abstract

The thoracic kidney is the rarest form of renal ectopia. Furthermore, it is usually asymptomatic and discovered incidentally. It is seen as a mass in the posterior mediastinum or juxta-diaphragmatic on chest radiography. A computed tomography scan or magnetic resonance imaging is usually needed for a definitive diagnosis. The thoracic kidney typically exits the retroperitoneal space through the foramen of Bochdalek.

Keywords: Asymptomatic; Bochdalek's hernia; Computed tomography; Ectopic kidney.

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Figures

Fig 1
Fig. 1
Scout image shows an ill-defined soft tissue opacity in the lower part of the right hemithorax (arrow).
Fig 2
Fig. 2
Axial CT scan demonstrates no evidence of right kidney in kidney fossa (arrow in a) and the presence of an intrathoracic kidney on the right side (arrow in b).
Fig 3
Fig. 3
Coronal CT scan reveals the presence of ectopic kidney in the right hemithorax (arrows in a and b) and mild Levo-scoliosis (red arrow in a).
Fig 4
Fig. 4
Sagittal CT scan shows the presence of ectopic intrathoracic kidney (arrow).
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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