Development of urinary organs in domestic cat during the embryonic and fetal periods

Crossed renal ectopia with fusion in a pelvic inlet area, atypical portal vein and coccygeal deformation in a young female cat

Background

The case report describes a rare congenital anomaly, crossed fused renal ectopia (CFRE), with coexistence of two other abnormalities – atypical portal vein and coccygeal vertebrae malformation in a domestic cat. The concomitance of those 3 congenital defects has not been described previously.

Case presentation

An 8-month-old female, domestic cat suffering from chronic diarrhea was referred to the diagnostic imaging unit. The patient showed no other clinical symptoms. An abdominal ultrasonographic examination was performed in order to evaluate the condition of abdominal organs, particularly the gastrointestinal tract. The ultrasound examination showed an ectopic duplex kidney at instead of kidneys in their typical location. Computed tomography (CT) with angiographic phase and excretory urography was requested to evaluate the condition of the kidneys and ureters. The final diagnosis was CFRE, atypical portal vein and coccygeal deformation in an asymptomatic cat with no changes in renal function and normal blood parameters.

Conclusions

Crossed fused renal ectopia is a rare congenital anomaly and is easily detectable by an abdominal ultrasonographic examination and CT, which allows more complete assessment of both anatomical relations and secretory function of the kidney. The occurrence of CFRE, abnormal portal vein and spinal malformation in a clinically healthy patient is the evidence that congenital malformations may simultaneously involve various, not directly related structures and systems, without significant influence on blood and urine parameters. Thus the most useful tool in the evaluation of the morphological and functional changes is the diagnostic imaging, especially contrast enhanced CT. Our results show that renal fusions should be considered in the differential diagnosis of caudal abdominal masses.