Anomalies of renal vasculature combined with ectopic kidneys were found on a multi-detector CT scan. Knowledge of renal vascular variation is very important for surgical exploration, radiologic intervention and staging for urologic cancer. We present an extremely rare case of a right circumaortic renal vein combined with a right ectopic kidney. The right kidney was located at the level between the third and fifth lumbar vertebra. The right circumaortic renal vein crossed the aorta and returned to the inferior vena cava behind the aorta.
Adult ; Humans ; Kidney/*abnormalities/blood supply/radiography ; Kidney Diseases/congenital/*radiography ; Male ; *Multidetector Computed Tomography ; Renal Veins/*abnormalities/radiography ; Vena Cava, Inferior/abnormalities/radiography

OBJECTIVE: To determine the accuracy of the use of multi-detector row CT (MDCT) to predict vascular anatomy in living kidney donors and to reveal the prevalence of vascular variations in a Korean population. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of 153 living kidney donors that had undergone preoperative CT and nephrectomy, either with open or laparoscopic surgery, were selected retrospectively. The initial CT results were compared with the surgical findings and repeated review sessions of CT scans were performed to determine the causes of mismatches in discordant cases. RESULTS: The accuracy of CT angiography was 95% to predict the number of renal vessels. Four arteries and two veins were missed during the initial CT interpretation due to perception errors (for two arteries and two veins) and technical limitations (two arteries). The prevalence of multiple renal arteries and veins, early branching of a renal artery and late confluence of a renal vein were 31%, 5%, 12%, 17%, respectively. The circumaortic renal vein and the bilateral inferior vena cava were found in two cases each (1.3%). One case (0.7%) each of a retroaortic renal vein and a supradiaphragmatic originated renal artery were found. CONCLUSION: MDCT provides a reliable method to evaluate the vascular anatomy and variations of living kidney donors.
Adult ; Angiography/*methods/standards ; Female ; Humans ; Kidney/*blood supply/radiography ; *Living Donors ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Renal Artery/radiography ; Renal Veins/radiography ; Retrospective Studies ; *Tomography, X-Ray Computed/standards ; Young Adult

OBJECTIVE: Arterial stenosis is a major obstacle for subsequent interventional procedures. We hypothesized that the stenosis is caused by gelatin sponge embolization and performed an experimental study in a rabbit renal model. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of 24 rabbits were embolized with porcine gelatin sponge particles injected into the renal arteries. Four rabbits were sacrificed on 1 day, 4 days, 1 week, 2 weeks, 3 weeks, and 4 weeks after embolization. Microscopic evaluations were performed on hematoxylin-eosin and smooth muscle actin immunohistochemical stained sections. RESULTS: Gelatin sponge particles were mainly observed in the segmental and interlobar arteries. Transmural inflammation of the embolized arterial wall and mild thickening of the media were observed 1 week after embolization. Resorption of the gelatin sponge and organization of thrombus accompanied by foreign body reactions, were observed from 2 to 4 weeks after embolization. Microscopic images of the 3 weeks group showed vessel lumens filled mostly with organized thrombi, resulting in severe stenosis. Additionally, vessels showed a thickened intima that contained migrating smooth muscle cells and accompanying interruption of the internal elastic lamina. The migrating smooth muscle cells were distributed around the recanalized arterial lumen. CONCLUSION: Gelatin sponge embolization may induce arterial stenosis by causing organized thrombus and intimal hyperplasia, which consists of migrating smooth muscle cells and intimal collagen deposits.
Animals ; Constriction, Pathologic/*etiology ; Disease Models, Animal ; Embolization, Therapeutic/*adverse effects ; Gelatin ; Gelatin Sponge, Absorbable/*chemistry ; Kidney/*blood supply ; Male ; Porifera ; Rabbits ; Renal Artery/*pathology/radiography ; Swine

A bronchial artery embolization (BAE) is an important therapeutic method used to control acute and chronic hemoptysis. We report a case of multiple micro-infarcts involving both the kidneys and spleen, following a BAE with 500-700 micrometer crossed-linked tris-acryl microspheres (Embospheres) in a patient with bronchial artery pulmonary vein shunts. The superior penetration characteristics of the microspheres may have resulted in the greater tendency to cross the bronchial artery pulmonary vein shunts, which subsequently caused the systemic infarcts in our patient. We propose the use of larger sized microspheres (700-900 micrometer), which may aid in avoiding this complication.
Acrylic Resins/*adverse effects/therapeutic use ; Adult ; *Bronchial Arteries ; Embolization, Therapeutic/*adverse effects ; Female ; Gelatin/*adverse effects/therapeutic use ; Hemoptysis/therapy ; Humans ; Infarction/*etiology/radiography ; Kidney/*blood supply ; Splenic Infarction/*etiology/radiography

Since the introduction of pancreas transplantation more than 40 years ago, surgical techniques and immunosuppressive regiments have improved and both have contributed to increase the number and success rate of this procedure. However, graft survival corresponds to early diagnosis of organ-related complications. Thus, knowledge of the transplantation procedure and postoperative image anatomy are basic requirements for radiologists. In this article, we demonstrate the imaging spectrum of pancreas transplantation with enteric exocrine drainage.
Adult ; Anastomosis, Surgical/methods ; Diagnostic Imaging/methods ; Drainage/methods ; Female ; Graft Rejection/pathology ; Graft Survival ; Humans ; Iliac Artery/radiography/surgery ; Immunosuppressive Agents ; Kidney Transplantation ; Male ; *Medical Illustration ; Mesenteric Artery, Superior/radiography/surgery ; Middle Aged ; Pancreas/*blood supply/radiography ; Pancreas Transplantation/adverse effects/*methods ; Pancreatitis, Graft/etiology ; Portal Vein/radiography/surgery ; Postoperative Complications/radiography ; Postoperative Hemorrhage/etiology ; Survival Rate

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the basic characteristics of degradable gelatin microspheres (GMSs), including their embolic behavior and degradation periods when they are used as embolic materials in the renal arteries of rabbit models. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Based on the GMS particle size, 24 kidneys were divided into 3 groups of eight kidneys, and each group was embolized with a different GMS particle size (group 1: 35-100 micrometer, group 2: 100-200 micrometer, and group 3: 200-300 micrometer). From each group, two rabbits were sacrificed immediately after embolization (day 0), and a pair of rabbits from each group underwent an angiogram and were sacrificed on days 3, 7, and 14, respectively, after embolization. The level of arterial occlusion, the pathological changes in the renal parenchyma, and the degradation of the GMSs were evaluated angiographically and histologically. RESULTS: A follow-up angiogram on days 0, 3, 7, and 14 revealed the presence of wedge-shaped poorly-enhanced areas in the parenchymal phase as seen in all groups. The size of these areas tended to increase with the particle diameter, and persisted up to day 14. On days 3, 7, and 14, parenchymal infarctions were observed histologically in all cases, and this observation corresponded with the parenchyma being supplied by the embolized arteries. GMSs of group 1 mainly reached the interlobular arteries, while those of group 3 mainly reached the interlobar arteries. In all but two cases, the GMSs were identified histologically even on day 14, and sequential degradation was histologically identified in all GMS groups. CONCLUSION: GMSs can be used as degradable embolic materials which can control the level of embolization.
Animals ; Biocompatible Materials ; Disease Models, Animal ; Embolization, Therapeutic/*methods ; Female ; Follow-Up Studies ; *Gelatin ; Kidney/blood supply ; *Microspheres ; Particle Size ; Rabbits ; Renal Artery/drug effects/pathology/radiography ; Renal Artery Obstruction/*chemically induced ; Severity of Illness Index ; Time Factors

BACKGROUNDRecognizing renal vascular variants preoperatively is important in order to avoid vascular complications during surgery. This study aimed to investigate the renal vascular variants with dual-energy computed tomography (DECT) angiography to provide valuable information for surgery.

METHODSA total of 378 patients underwent DECT. The number, size, course and relationships of the renal vessels were retrospectively observed from the scans. Anomalies of renal arteries and veins were recorded and classified. Multiplanar reformations (MPR), maximum intensity projections (MIP), and volume renderings (VR) were used for analysis.

RESULTSIn 378 patients (756 kidneys), renal artery variations were discovered and recorded in 123 kidneys (16.3%, 123/756) of 106 patients (28.0%, 106/378). Type IB (early branches of the only one main renal artery) and IC (accessory renal artery with only one main renal artery) were found most frequently with an incidence of 11.4% (43/378) and 14.5% (55/378). The incidence of renal artery variations in the left kidney was not statistically different than in the right kidney (12.4% vs. 11.1%). The incidence of renal vein variations was detected in 104 patients (27.5%, 104/378). The incidence of venous variants in the right kidney was higher than in the left kidney (20.1% vs. 7.4%), but left renal vein variations were more complex. Variants of the left renal vein were detected in 28 patients including type 1 (circumaortic left renal vein) in eight cases, type 2 (retroaortic left renal vein) in seven cases, type 3 (abnormal reflux) in six cases, type 4 (late venous confluence of left renal vein) in five cases, and type 5 (rare type) in two cases. The frequency of left renal vein variation associated with the left renal accessory artery was significantly higher than with early branches of the left renal artery (P = 0.037).

CONCLUSIONSThe renal vascular variants are rather common and complex. DECT angiography can demonstrate the precise anatomy of the renal vessels, which is a benefit for renal transplantation or other renal operations.

Adult ; Aged ; Aged, 80 and over ; Angiography ; methods ; Female ; Humans ; Kidney ; blood supply ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Radiography, Dual-Energy Scanned Projection ; methods ; Renal Veins ; diagnostic imaging ; Retrospective Studies ; Young Adult

No abstract available.
Anticoagulants/therapeutic use ; Antithyroid Agents/therapeutic use ; Graves Disease/*complications/diagnosis/drug therapy ; Humans ; Infarction/diagnosis/drug therapy/*etiology ; Kidney/*blood supply/radiography ; Male ; Middle Aged ; *Thyroid Gland/radionuclide imaging/ultrasonography ; Thyrotoxicosis/diagnosis/drug therapy/*etiology ; Tomography, X-Ray Computed ; Treatment Outcome