title: Multidetector computed tomography angiography of the renal arteries: normal anatomy and its variations.
abstract: Conventional angiography is still considered the gold standard for the study of the anatomy and of vascular diseases of the abdomen. However, the advent of multidetector computed tomography and techniques of digital image reconstruction has provided an alternative means of performing angiography, without the risks inherent to invasive angiographic examinations. Therefore, within the field of radiology, there is an ever-increasing demand for deeper knowledge of the anatomy of the regional vasculature and its variations. Variations in the renal vascular system are relatively prevalent in the venous and arterial vessels. For various conditions in which surgical planning is crucial to the success of the procedure, knowledge of this topic is important. The aim of this study was to familiarize the general radiologist with variations in the renal vascular system. To that end, we prepared a pictorial essay comprising multidetector computed tomography images obtained in a series of cases. We show patterns representative of the most common anatomical variations in the arterial blood supply to the kidneys, calling attention to the nomenclature, as well as to the clinical and surgical implications of such variations.
authors.affiliation: PhD, Adjunct Professor IV of Clinical Radiology, Universidade Federal da Paraíba (UFPB), João Pessoa, PB, Brazil.
authors.forename: Carlos Fernando
authors.initials: CF
authors.lastname: de Mello Júnior
authors.affiliation: PhD, Adjunct Professor II of Clinical Radiology, Universidade Federal da Paraíba (UFPB), João Pessoa, PB, Brazil.
authors.forename: Severino Aires
authors.initials: SA
authors.lastname: Araujo Neto
authors.affiliation: PhD, Professor in the Department of Surgery, Universidade Federal da Paraíba (UFPB), João Pessoa, PB, Brazil.
authors.forename: Arlindo Monteiro
authors.initials: AM
authors.lastname: de Carvalho Junior
authors.affiliation: MD, Urologist, Professor of Urology, Faculdade de Ciências Médicas da Paraíba, João Pessoa, PB, Brazil.
authors.forename: Rafael Batista
authors.initials: RB
authors.lastname: Rebouças
authors.affiliation: Medical Student, Universidade Federal da Paraíba (UFPB), João Pessoa, PB, Brazil.
authors.forename: Gustavo Ramalho Pessoa
authors.initials: GR
authors.lastname: Negromonte
authors.affiliation: Medical Student, Universidade Federal da Paraíba (UFPB), João Pessoa, PB, Brazil.
authors.forename: Carollyne Dantas
authors.initials: CD
authors.lastname: de Oliveira
keywords: Anatomic variation; Multidetector computed tomography; Renal artery