Abdominal aneurysm and horseshoe kidney

Management of aortic aneurysm in the presence of a horseshoe kidney

BACKGROUND

The coexistence of an aortic aneurysm and a horseshoe kidney poses a technical challenge to the vascular surgeon at the time of aneurysm repair. The aim of this review is to develop a guideline for the treatment of patients with this dual pathology.

METHOD

A literature review combined with local experience provided a total of 176 cases. These were divided into two groups: asymptomatic aneurysms (134) and ruptured aneurysms (42), both in combination with a horseshoe kidney.

RESULTS

Six types of operative approach were described: transperitoneal approach with or without separation of the renal isthmus, retroperitoneal approach, placement of a stent-graft, aneurysmal wrap and exploration without exclusion of the aneurysm. Diagnosis of the horseshoe kidney was made before operation in 81 per cent of patients in the asymptomatic group, and in 55 per cent (23 of 42) in the ruptured group. Computed tomography proved to be the most reliable diagnostic procedure. Occlusion of renal arteries originating from the aneurysm was reported in 51 per cent in the asymptomatic group, and in 74 per cent (23 of 31) in the ruptured group.

CONCLUSION

The preferred surgical options for asymptomatic patients with an aortic aneurysm and a horseshoe kidney are the placement of a stent-graft or a retroperitoneal approach; both avoid many of the technical difficulties related to the presence of the horseshoe kidney. The approach of choice for a ruptured aneurysm is transperitoneal. Separation of the renal isthmus should be avoided.

[Aortic aneurysm and horseshoe kidney--case report and collective review (author's transl)]

Based on the own experience and on an intesive study of the literature with a total of 52 patients with an aortic aneurysm and a horseshoe kidney the problems of operative treatment are discussed. The conclusion is made, that the treatment of this rare combination has its special difficulties in nearly 2/3 of all cases, but the same results as conventional surgery of aortic aneurysms, when the renal artery abnormalities are respected and treated with adequate vascular surgical skill.

Abdominal aortic surgery in the presence of a horseshoe kidney

Prior experience with the rare combination of horseshoe kidney and significant atherosclerotic vascular disease suggests difficulty in intraoperative management, often requiring division of the renal isthmus or sacrifice of some renal tissue. Seven patients have been managed successfully over the past ten years at The Ohio State University Hospital. There were six men and one woman, ranging in age from 39 to 66 years. Of the five patients with abdominal aortic aneurysm, four had a pulsatile abdominal mass, three had abdominal pain, and one had back pain. The other two patients had progressively symptomatic aortoiliac disease. All seven patients had hypertension, easily controlled by medication. Critical diagnostic procedures are preoperative intravenous pyelogram (IVP) and abdominal aortic arteriogram. The IVP detected the previously unsuspected diagnosis in 100% of the cases. The arteriogram accurately located the aneurysm in relation to the renal vascular supply, and disclosed aberrant blood supply in three of four patients with aberrant vessels. All seven horseshoe kidneys were fused at the lower pole. The operative approach involves meticulous dissection of the aberrant blood supply to the kidneys, and mobilization of the isthmus for adequate retrorenal aortic exposure. In six of the seven patients, the grafts were placed posterior to the isthmus. There were no deaths, and there were no complications related to the presence of the horseshoe kidney. In three of the seven patients, hypertension improved. Patients with horseshoe kidney and aortic disease may be safely operated upon without damage to the kidney. IVP and selective angiography are essential to provide preoperative information.

Abdominal aneurysm and horseshoe kidney: a review

Two patients with aortic abdominal aneurysms in association with horseshoe kidney are presented, making a total of 34 cases recorded in the literature. In 29 patients, the aneurysm was resected and five patients were non-resectable. Because of the abnormalities in vascular supply to the abnormal kidney, it is important to diagnose the combination of aneurysm and horseshoe kidney preoperatively. An error in diagnosis should be unusual if an intravenous pyelogram is routinely obtained on all patients. This study may reveal abnormalities which will allow the diagnosis of horseshoe kidney to be made or suspected. If the intravenous pyelogram is abnormal, it should be followed by an aortogram. This may substantiate the diagnosis of aneurysm and horseshoe kidney and provide the necessary detailed information regarding the pattern of blood supply and its relationship to functioning tissue. The amount and disposition of functioning renal parenchyma may be further amplified by renal scan. If this sequence is followed, the unanticipated combination of abdominal aneurysm and horseshoe kidney should be rare.

Horseshoe kidney and abdominal aortic aneurysm

A case of horseshoe kidney and an abdominal aortic aneurysm is presented. The 32 previously described cases are reviewed and the diagnosis and management are discussed. The major factors influencing the operative approach to an aortic aneurysm associated with a horseshoe kidney concern the site of origin of the renal arteries, their number, and the portion of the kidney which each supplies.