Rare form of renal ectopia: a case report of an intrahoracic kidney in a 75-year-old woman

Abstract

We reported a rare form of renal ectopia, an intrathoracic left kidney, in a 75-year-old woman. The patient, presenting with chronic urinary retention, was admitted for acute pyelonephritis. Ultrasound revealed the absence of the left kidney. Computed tomography scan highlighted an ectopic left kidney in the thorax with moderate left hydronephrosis, associated with a Bochdalek hernia. She also had chronic kidney disease. Intrathoracic renal ectopia, a rare anomaly, is usually asymptomatic and discovered incidentally. Its etiology remains unknown, but it is often associated with a diaphragmatic defect or an excessively rapid ascent of the kidney during embryonic development. The majority of cases of asymptomatic intrathoracic renal ectopia in adults do not require surgical intervention. This case highlights the need for thorough investigation when a urinary tract anomaly is suspected, even in the absence of symptoms. Early diagnosis is crucial for the appropriate management of these rare anomalies.

Received: July 17^th, 2024

Accepted: January 1^st, 2025

https://dx.doi.org/10.4314/aamed.v18i2.17