ANATOMICAL VARIATIONS OF THE KIDNEYS AND THEIR VENOUS DRAINAGE: SOURCES OF IMAGING INTERPRETATION PITFALLS IN THE TRANSPYLORIC PLANE

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Anatomical variations of the kidneys and their vasculature may lead to confusion on imaging interpretation and subsequent misdiagnosis, surgical confusion, and, potential life-threatening bleeding complications. Typical axial imaging findings in the transpyloric plane include smooth convexity of the kidney, renal veins located anterior to renal arteries, and renal veins that drain to a singular inferior vena cava. This report highlights a series of cadaveric observations with include persistent lobulation of the kidney, duplication of the inferior vena cava, and retroaortic location of the renal vein. An understanding of these anatomical variations will prevent imaging interpretation errors and aid in the diagnosis and treatment of patients with anatomical variation of the kidneys and their vasculature.