title: Horseshoe kidney: a review of anatomy and pathology.
abstract: Horseshoe kidney (HSK) is the most common renal fusion, which is characterized by three anatomic anomalies: ectopia, malrotation and vascular changes. Patients with HSK are prone to a variety of complications, genitourinary and non-genitourinary. In this paper, the anatomy of HSK is delineated with a great emphasis on its blood supply. After reviewing the literature, the arterial supply patterns found by each author were categorized according to the classification system proposed by Graves. The majority of HSKs were found to be supplied by renal arteries derived from the abdominal aorta below the isthmus or by vessels originating from the common iliac arteries. In addition, the abnormalities associated with HSK are highlighted and classified in anatomical variations, congenital anomalies as well as in pathologic conditions related to HSK.
authors.affiliation: Department of Anatomy, Medical School, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Plateia Ippodromiou 17, 54621, Thessaloniki, Greece.
authors.forename: Konstantinos
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Natsis
authors.forename: Maria
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Piagkou
authors.forename: Antonia
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Skotsimara
authors.forename: Vassilis
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Protogerou
authors.forename: Ioannis
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Tsitouridis
authors.forename: Panagiotis
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Skandalakis
mesh_terms: D015901:Angiography, Digital Subtraction / Q000379:methods; D006801:Humans; D007083:Iliac Artery / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D007668:Kidney / Q000002:abnormalities* / Q000033:anatomy & histology / Q000473:pathology*; D012077:Renal Artery / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed / Q000379:methods