Thoracic kidney associated with congenital diaphragmatic hernia

Abstract

We report three cases of ectopic thoracic (or superior ectopic) kidney; one in a neonate and two in 6-month-old children, associated with congenital diaphragmatic hernia. In all cases the diagnosis was made during surgery and confirmed by intravenous pyelography, sonography and magnetic resonance imaging in the postoperative period. Because of the rarity of this condition we report these cases together with a wide review of the published reports.

Right Diaphragmatic Eventration with an Intrathoracic Kidney: Case Report and Review of the Literature

“…Since then, about 200 cases have been reported [7]. This occurrence is described as frequent in the male sex (63%) and on the left side (62%) [8, 16, 29]. The incidence of intrathoracic kidneys associated with diaphragmatic defects is 0.25% of all ectopias.…”

Late-presenting diaphragmatic hernia associated with intrathoracic kidney: tachypnoea as unique clinical sign

“…In our patient, recurrent tachypnoea associated with failure to thrive was reported. In the absence of additional malformation such as hydronephrosis, malrotation or megaureter, ectopic kidney requires no specific surgical treatment,14 as in our case. Regarding the uneventful follow-up, we did not perform neither a cystogram to diagnose a vesico-ureteral reflux nor a dimercaptosuccinic acid-scintigraphy to evaluate renal function.…”

Right thoracic ectopic kidney in a child with breathing difficulties—Sonographic diagnosis

“…The anatomic profile of thoracic kidney is characterized by rotation anomalies, elongated ureters of high origin of the renal vessels, and medial deviation of the lower pole of the kidney. 5 Most of the described cases in the literature of thoracic kidneys are asymptomatic. However, various anomalies have been described including ureteropelvic junction obstruction, renal cell carcinoma, and ureteral duplication.…”

“…4 Right thoracic kidneys and hernias are rare because of early fusion of the right pleuroperitoneal channel on the right side and the presence of the liver as a barrier. 5 The final stage of kidney development starts at about the fifth week of gestation. The kidney ascends out of the pelvis into the abdomen and reaches adult location by the end of the eighth week of gestation.…”