[Incidence of left renal vein anomalies in routine abdominal CT scans].

PURPOSE

To study the appearance and incidence of left renal vein anomalies in abdominal CT examinations.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

One thousand and three abdominal CT examinations were reviewed retrospectively for the presence of left renal vein anomalies. Nineteen CT scans were excluded from the study because of technical or patient-dependent factors. The course of the left renal vein was assessed on the CT slices to detect any anomalies.

RESULTS

Left renal vein anomaly was detected in 32 (3.2%) of 984 cases. Twenty-three (2.3%) of them were a retroaortic and 9 (0.9%) of them were a circumaortic left renal vein.

CONCLUSION

It is important to detect left renal vein anomalies before retroperitoneal surgery or interventional procedures. These anomalies can be identified in routine abdominal CT examinations with a careful inspection.