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Case Reports
. 2025 Mar-Apr;40(2):99-102.
doi: 10.4103/ijnm.ijnm_137_24. Epub 2025 Jun 27.

Intrathoracic Kidney Detected on DTPA Scan

Meghana Prabhu  1 , Abhishek Behera  1 , Manav Suryavanshi  2 , Kailash Panwar  1
Affiliations
Case Reports

Intrathoracic Kidney Detected on DTPA Scan

Meghana Prabhu et al. Indian J Nucl Med. 2025 Mar-Apr.

Abstract

Intrathoracic kidney is very rare and has the lowest prevalence among all renal ectopias. We report the case of a 70-year-old male who was referred for diethylenetriaminepentaacetic acid (DTPA) scan as a part of presurgical work-up for a right renal mass. PriorUltrasonography abdomen incorrectly reported left kidney as normal in location. 99mTc-DTPA renal scan combined with single-photon emission computed tomography - computed tomography revealed impaired global glomerular filtration rate with left kidney in ectopic (intrathoracic) location. 18-fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography-computed tomography images revealed a soft tissue mass completely replacing the right kidney with metastases to bilateral lungs. This case reemphasizes the importance of nuclear medicine imaging in diagnosis and evaluation of the renal function of the intrathoracic kidney.

Keywords: Diethylenetriaminepentaacetic acid scan; ectopic kidney; fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography-computed tomography; intrathoracic kidney; single-photon emission computed tomography – computed tomography.

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Conflict of interest statement

There are no conflicts of interest.

Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
Renal dynamic images acquired in the posterior view after intravenous injection of 99m-Tcdiethylenetriaminepentaacetic acid shows heterogeneous cortical uptake in the right kidney. Left kidney is not visualized in the left renal fossa. However, a focal spot of tracer activity (arrow) is noted in the left upper aspect of the field of view
Figure 2
Figure 2
Static image in posterior view with increased field of view covering thorax and the abdomen (a) reveals an ectopic left kidney located in intrathoracic location (arrow). Single-photon emission computed tomography – computed tomography images (b) reveal elevated left hemi diaphragm with malrotated ectopic left kidney lying completely above the diaphragm in the left hemi thorax
Figure 3
Figure 3
Repeat renal dynamic study processed images showed elevated background tracer activity. Left kidney is ectopic (intrathoracic) in location with non-obstructive drainage. Right kidney is normal in size with impaired cortical function and prompt drainage of radiotracer; heterogeneous tracer uptake noted in the right kidney mass
Figure 4
Figure 4
18-Fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography computed tomography images (a) shows a large partially exophytic soft mass almost completely replacing the right kidney with infiltration of the renal pelvis. Coronal sections (b and c) show defect in the left hemidiaphragm with herniation of left kidney, spleen and large bowel. Transaxial sections of lungs (d) reveals18 Fluorodeoxyglucose (FDG) avid multiple soft tissue nodules in bilateral lungs with mild right pleural effusion, suggestive of metastases
See this image and copyright information in PMC

References

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