Intrathoracic right kidney diagnosed by ultrasound.
Intrathoracic kidneys are rare. A case is described in which the initial intravenous urogram performed for prostatism appeared to show a non-functioning right kidney. A subsequent ultrasound examination revealed that the right kidney was situated in the right hemithorax, well above the liver. Pelvic ectopic kidneys are common and standard teaching is to perform a full length film should an immediate or 5 minute renal area radiograph suggest an absent/non-functioning kidney. With the increasing use of ultrasound in the initial assessment of patients with prostatism, the possible intrathoracic location of a kidney should be remembered when there is failure to demonstrate a kidney in the abdomen or pelvis.
Archer
R J
RJ
Department of Radiology, St Thomas' Hospital, London.
D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D006801:Humans; D007668:Kidney / Q000002:abnormalities* / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D008099:Liver / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D008297:Male; D013909:Thorax / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D014463:Ultrasonography