What Is Horseshoe Kidney?
Horseshoe kidney refers to the fusion of the superior or inferior poles of the kidneys in front of the large blood vessels of the spine to form a congenital kidney deformity in the form of a "horse shoe". Mostly occur in the early fetus (4-7 weeks), most of the upper pole fusion occurs later, about 9 weeks, most of the lower pole fusion, only a few of the upper pole fusion, the fusion of the two kidneys is called the isthmus. Some patients may be asymptomatic, and may also have clinical manifestations such as low back pain, frequent urination, and lower abdominal mass.
Basic Information
- Visiting department
- Nephrology
- Multiple groups
- Early fetus (4th to 7th week)
- Common causes
- Related to congenital factors
- Common symptoms
- Some patients may be asymptomatic, and may also have back pain, frequent urination, and lower abdominal masses.
Causes of horseshoe kidney
- Related to congenital factors.
Clinical manifestations of horseshoe kidney
- Some patients can be asymptomatic. Because of the obstruction of normal ascension and rotation after renal fusion, it is often located in the pelvic cavity or slightly higher. The ureter is shorter than normal, and waist pain, frequent urination, pyuria, and lower abdominal mass can occur. Clinical manifestations.
Horseshoe kidney test
- 1. Laboratory examination may have infection manifestations such as increased white blood cell count or increased white blood cells in urine.
2. Imaging Examinations: B-ultrasound, CT and other imaging examinations show that the inferior or superior poles of the two kidneys are connected across the inferior vena cava and anterior to the abdominal aorta.
3. The angiography mainly includes intravenous urography and retrograde pyelography, which can display abnormal shadows, pyelogram shadows on both sides, droop, move closer, and tilt from the top to the bottom. If the renal function is poor on one side and does not develop, the contralateral kidney can be misdiagnosed as simple renal dysfunction.
Horseshoe kidney diagnosis
- Most of them occur in the early fetus, asymptomatic or symptoms of urinary tract infection. Imaging examination shows that the lower pole or upper pole of the kidneys are connected, crossing the inferior vena cava and the front of the abdominal aorta, and a diagnosis can be made by combining urography.
Differential diagnosis of horseshoe kidney
- It is mainly distinguished from other congenital diseases, mainly by imaging and intravenous urography.
Horseshoe kidney complications
- The incidence of nephritis can be as high as 80%, and other complications are also high. The most common complications are hydronephrosis, infection, and stone formation.
Horseshoe Kidney Treatment
- Asymptomatic and mild symptoms generally do not require treatment. With hydronephrosis, urinary tract obstruction, and severe lumbar rib pain, which seriously affects work and life, ureteral release, isthmus cut off the two kidneys, and pelvic ureteroplasty can be considered. If there are stones or severe hydronephrosis, they should be treated accordingly, and the kidney should be removed or partially removed if necessary.
Horseshoe kidney prognosis
- The prognosis of this disease is related to the degree of compression of the plexus, blood circulation or ureter and the effect of surgical treatment.