title: Retroaortic left renal vein associated with unilateral superior renal polar artery: a clinico-embryological perspective.
abstract: The aim of the current study is to report an unusual occurrence of a retroaortic left renal vein in an adult male cadaver of Caucasian origin. This unusual variant was discovered during the course of preclinical educational training programme for undergraduate medical students. The vascular anomaly was dissected and the surrounding adnexa carefully studied for associated variations. Subsequently, morphometry was performed on the specimen to measure certain important parameters. The left renal vein was found to emerge from lower part of renal hilum and traversed posterior to abdominal aorta and finally terminated into Inferior vena cava. Additionally, the left renal artery was higher in position and originated from the abdominal aorta at the level of upper border of body of Ist lumbar vertebra. This type of anomaly is very important as it may be associated with varicocoele. Furthermore, in preoperative planning for nephrectomy, partial nephrectomy and living donor nephrectomy, the surgeons should keep in mind the possibility of this vascular anomaly. It is also stated that left renal vein appears to be at the centre of a huge venous network which makes the nephrectomy hazardous and permits the spread of infectious material and neoplasms.
authors.affiliation: Department of Anatomy, Vardhman Mahavir Medical College, New Delhi, India.
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Gandhi
authors.forename: R K
authors.initials: RK
authors.lastname: Singla
authors.forename: R K
authors.initials: RK
authors.lastname: Suri
authors.forename: V
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Mehta
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Rath
mesh_terms: D000015:Abnormalities, Multiple; D002102:Cadaver; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012077:Renal Artery / Q000002:abnormalities*; D012082:Renal Veins / Q000002:abnormalities*