horseshoe kidney

Pathology

• kidneys are fused at the lower pole
• highly variant arteries & veins
• constant stasis resulting in low level of inflammation
• increased risk for
  • traumatic kidney injury
  • urinary obstruction
  • nephrolithiasis
  • Wilms tumor
  • renal cell carcinoma
  • vesicoureteral reflux

Diagnostic procedures

• voiding cystourethrogram to assess vesicoureteral reflux
• renal ultrasound may show hydronephrosis
  • not sensitive for vesicoureteral reflux
  • may not fully visualize horseshoe kidney

Management

• treatment of hydronephrosis & vesicoureteral reflux

More general terms

• congenital anomaly (birth defect)
• kidney disease; renal disease