An unusual case of complete renal fusion giving rise to a ‘cake’ or ‘lump’ kidney

Bilateral fused pelvic kidney ectopia with a single draining ureter solved by craniolateral displacement of the kidney and Boari‐modified bladder–calyceal anastomosis with bladder augmentation

“…3 Vascular complications, such as thrombosis of the renal vein, also are recognized as a cause of sudden death. 2 The single draining ureter also is considered to be extremely exceptional. 2 From the clinical standpoint, the single draining ureter is a special entity that makes even a transitory obstruction a clinical Bilateral fused pelvic kidney ectopia emergency.…”

“…2 The single draining ureter also is considered to be extremely exceptional. 2 From the clinical standpoint, the single draining ureter is a special entity that makes even a transitory obstruction a clinical Bilateral fused pelvic kidney ectopia emergency. At the same time, if a retrograde catheterization is unsuccessful, percutaneous access is almost impossible.…”

“…It is in agreement with the most recent Stephens proposal that both ureters arise from the Wolffian ducts and make ingrowth into the nephrogenic blastema. 2 If there is no development of the ureteric bud on the one side, there is a complete ipsilateral absence of kidney development. 2 Besides the embryology, lump kidneys are often characterized by ultrastructural malformations, such as immature glomeruli and dilated tubules.…”

“…2,3 Abnormalities of the other cloacal derivates are called 'Caudal regression syndrome'. 2 A classical statement is that ectopic kidneys are never operated in the absence of complications. In the majority of cases, surgery is performed once, and a preferable type of treatment is the nephrectomy.…”

“…It must be kept in mind that anatomical patency does not mean a functional competence, probably related to developmental abnormalities. 2,3 The life expectancy in patients with the cake kidney is not different to the normal population in the absence of associated complications. [4][5][6] Specific subjective complaints are not well-described , but the most frequent one is pain.…”