18 - Bilateral Accessory Renal Arteries: A Cadaveric Case Study

Poster Board Number: 18
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Abstract Body : Introduction: The kidneys are bilateral filtration organs that are perfused by the right and left renal artery. The presence of multiple renal arteries (MRA) is a rare anatomical variation, with unknown health implications and outcomes. There have been multiple case reports and literature review studies that describe these findings. The current literature uses various classification methods, and this report utilizes the Gulas classification system.

Materials and Methods: A cadaveric dissection at Noorda College of Osteopathic Medicine presented with abnormal renal findings. A standard ruler was used to measure the length and width of each renal artery in situ. All measurements were recorded in centimeters by two observers. A camera was utilized to document findings. The data was classified by the Gulas system, which separates MRA’s as unilateral or bilateral, by origin and insertion points, and the number of accessory renal arteries.

Results: Upon dissection, a 75-year-old male donor presented with five renal arteries. The right and left renal arteries originated from the abdominal aorta at the L2 level and inserted at the renal hilum. Each renal accessory artery (RAA), two on the right and one on the left, originated at the abdominal aorta bifurcation. Both right RAA's were inserted at the inferior pole of the right kidney, and classified as a Type D, Level III pattern. The left RAA was inserted at the inferior pole of the left kidney, and classified as a Type D, Level II pattern.

Conclusion: Multiple renal accessory arteries were discovered in a cadaver during a dissection lab at Noorda College of Osteopathic Medicine. According to the Gulas system, the right kidney had a Type D, Level III pattern and the left kidney had a Type D, Level II pattern. Further research is needed on multiple RAA’s in order to correlate the clinical implications of these findings.