Horseshoe Kidney: The Daily PANCE Blueprint
Most horseshoe kidneys are located around the origin of what artery?
A. Superior mesenteric artery
B. Sigmoid artery
C. Ileocolic artery
D. Inferior mesenteric artery
E. Superior rectal artery
Answer and topic summary
The answer is Inferior mesenteric artery
Horseshoe kidneys are the most common fusion defect of the kidneys. No clear genetic cause has been described even though this condition often runs in families. Interestingly, horseshoe kidneys are more common in Turner Syndrome (XO). Most horseshoe kidneys result from the fusion of the lower poles and are located around the origin of the inferior mesenteric artery. They are often asymptomatic and discovered incidentally on imaging. If patients do have symptoms, often they will have abdominal pain, frequent kidney stones, or UTIs. Diagnosis is made with US, CT, or MRI. No treatment is usually needed. Unfortunately, this does increase their risk for renal cancer.
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Smarty PANCE Content Blueprint Review:
Covered under ⇒ PANCE Blueprint Renal System ⇒ ⇒
