Abstract

Anatomical Variations, Parameters, and Morphometric Evaluation of Renal Arteries by Using Computerized Tomography Angiography

Author(s): Shrifa Mohamed Elmahdi Yagoub, Abtehag A Taib, Mohamed Yahia Mansouri, Amal Elfakhri, Mohamed A Abdalla

Background: Renal arteries originate from the abdominal aorta below the origin of the Superior Mesenteric Artery (SMA). Anatomical variations of renal arteries are common in the general population and the frequency of these variations differ geographically and ethnically. knowledge of renal vascular anatomy and vascular variant is very important in the pre surgical workup of renal surgeries.

Objectives: To illustrate the normal morphometric and parameters of renal arteries and determine the common anatomical variations of renal arteries among Libyan patients.

Methods: Renal Computed Tomography Angiography (CTA) of 100 adult patients (48 males and 52 females) were examined. The level of origin, the location of renal ostium on abdominal aorta, length and diameter of renal arteries as well as the course of renal arteries were estimated. Additionally, the anatomical variations were also described. After collection and checking of data, Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) was used for data entry and analysis.

Results: A total of 100 patients were evaluated in this study. Their age ranged from 24 to 75 years, median age was 56 years. A single renal artery was present in 94% of patients and 6% have an accessory renal artery. 42% of right renal artery the level of origin was L1-L2 inter vertebral disc and 39% for the left renal artery and the most common origin of renal ostium on abdominal aorta for the right renal artery was antero-lateral aspect of the abdominal aorta (56%) and was the lateral aspect (44 %) for the left renal artery. The mean length of right renal artery was 4.4 cm (SD ± 1) and its mean diameter was 3.8 mm (SD ± 0.86). The mean length of left renal artery was 5.34 cm (SD ± 0.97) and its mean diameter was 5.66 (SD ± 0.94). The diameter of main renal arteries in presence of accessory artery was significantly smaller than the diameter of the arteries in absent of accessory artery. No significant difference cross with gender in level of origin and the origin renal ostium on the abdominal aorta.

Conclusion: Renal arteries anatomical variations appear not uncommon among Libyan patients, CTA is highly accurate for detecting vascular variation and providing anatomical para-meters for renal arteries and could be useful in pre-surgical planning of renal surgeries.