This site is intended for healthcare professionals

Sign in
Go to /sign-in page

You can view 5 more pages before signing in

Horseshoe kidneys

Last reviewed dd mmm yyyy. Last edited dd mmm yyyy

Authoring team

Horseshoe kidneys is a congenital condition of the kidneys which produces a characteristic IVP picture where the upper poles are further from the midline than the lower poles.

Aetiology:

  • fusion of developing kidneys at their lower poles
  • prevention of normal embryological ascent by the inferior mesenteric artery
  • this results in isthmus of the kidney lying across the aorta at the level of the 3rd or 4th lumbar vertebrae

This congenital abnormality may result in hydronephrosis due to PUJ obstruction.

Pyeloplasty is the treatment for PUJ obstruction.

Sometimes a horseshoe kidney may cause problems during pregnancy.

Related pages

Create an account to add page annotations

Create a free account

Annotations allow you to add information to this page that would be handy to have on hand during a consultation. E.g. a website or number. This information will always show when you visit this page.

The content herein is provided for informational purposes and does not replace the need to apply professional clinical judgement when diagnosing or treating any medical condition. A licensed medical practitioner should be consulted for diagnosis and treatment of any and all medical conditions.

Connect

Copyright 2024 Oxbridge Solutions Limited, a subsidiary of OmniaMed Communications Limited. All rights reserved. Any distribution or duplication of the information contained herein is strictly prohibited. Oxbridge Solutions receives funding from advertising but maintains editorial independence.