[Diagnosis of an opacity at the lung base: intrathoracic kidney].
A 72-year-old patient was admitted for exploration of an opacity of the left base discovered fortuitously on a routine chest x-ray. Initial blood tests were normal. Fiberoptic bronchoscopy was normal. Computed tomography (CT) led to the diagnosis of a left kidney which had risen into a retro-cardiac position. Magnetic resonance imaging established the sub-diaphragmatic position of the kidney. Renal excretion was normal on intravenous urography. An ectopic kidney in an intrathoracic position is very uncommon and may raise a major challenge when visualized as a mediastinal or pulmonary opacity. Computed tomography or intravenous urography can provide the diagnosis and magnetic resonance imaging demonstrates its precise sub-diaphragmatic or supra-diaphragmatic position.
Louzir
B
B
Service de Pneumologie Allergologie Centre Hospitalo-Universitaire de La Rabta, Tunis, Tunisie.
Beji
M
M
Chtourou
S
S
Fajraoui
N
N
el-Mekki
S
S
Jouini
S
S
Mnif
E
E
Slim
R
R
Daghfous
J
J
D000368:Aged; D002828:Choristoma / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007668:Kidney; D008168:Lung / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D008171:Lung Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging; D013902:Radiography, Thoracic; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed