nephroptosis; floating kidney; renal ptosis

Etiology

risk factors

• fibromuscular dysplasia of the renal artery

Epidemiology

• more common in women than in men

Pathology

• kidney descends more than 2 vertebral bodies (or >5 cm) during a position change from supine to upright

Clinical manifestations

• most patients are asymptomatic
• colicky flank pain, may radiate to groin
• nausea
• chills
• hypertension
• hematuria
• proteinuria

Radiology

• renal ultrasound in supine & upright positions
• intravenous urography in supine & upright positions

Management

• nephropexy for symptomatic patients

More general terms

• kidney disease; renal disease