Horseshoe Kidney - Causes and Signs of Horseshoe Kidney

The disease can be congenital or acquired.

There are several types by the type of fusion:

• unilateral, which resembles the letter S or I in shape;
• bilateral, is a more serious disease, in which the organ, when connected, forms the shape of a horseshoe or biscuit, resembles the shape of the letter L.

Symmetrical fusion is quite common in almost 90% of all cases.

In this case, they grow together at the lower poles, due to which they resemble the shape of a horseshoe.

Sometimes they grow together at the upper edges, in the middle, and very rarely at their entire surface, which significantly complicates their normal functioning and can lead to serious consequences. Since blood circulation is impaired, hypertrophy of the upper sections and underdevelopment of the lower sections are observed as a concomitant deviation.

Causes

Kidney deformity occurs during intrauterine development of the fetus. It is impossible to accurately determine the cause of the development of pathology.

Possible causes may be chronic diseases of various nature in the mother, chemicals (aggressive), taking medications without medical supervision (especially hormonal) during pregnancy. That is why doctors strongly recommend not to prescribe desensitizing and contraceptive drugs for yourself, but to consult a doctor first.

Experts say that the bad habits of both parents (or one) can contribute to the development of pathology in their offspring.

Symptoms

A horseshoe kidney may not manifest itself at first, and its diagnosis often occurs unexpectedly for the patient. Complaints are mainly related to the impact of the isthmus on nearby organs (ureter, vessels and nerves of the mesentery, etc.).

The clinical picture looks like this:

• pain in the abdomen, lower back during exercise;
• constipation;
• impaired peristalsis;
• increased emotional lability;
• swelling of the extremities;
• varicose veins;
• ascites;
• menstrual irregularities;
• premature birth in pregnant women;
• bloody impurities in urine;
• stones;
• pyelonephritis;
• hydronephrosis;
• cancerous neoplasms.

Often, the abnormal structure is combined with such congenital disorders as polycystic disease, spina bifida, hydrocephalus, abnormal formation of the skeleton, and a defect of the anorectal system.

It is extremely difficult to detect pathology in intrauterine development, since the cleansing function is performed by the mother's body, not the baby's.

Diagnostics

If symptoms occur, you should make an appointment with a urologist. A consultation with a nephrologist and oncologist is necessary.

During diagnostics, it is necessary to conduct an ultrasound examination, computed tomography, ultrasound Doppler, urography, arteriography, and scintigraphy.

All examinations allow us to identify the location, structure, and type of organ dysfunction, its function, and associated disorders. It is also necessary to pass standard tests (blood, urine). Angiography allows to decide on the advisability of surgical intervention.

Treatment

Treatment directly depends on the course of the disease, symptoms, type.

In case of pain, stones, hydronephrotic changes, tumors, differentiated surgical tactics are used.

Pain syndrome and impaired urodynamics are an indication for dissection of the isthmus and division of the renal sectors in order to fix them in a normal position. Heminephrectomy is indicated in case of damage and loss of function of one half of the horseshoe kidney.

If stone formation occurs, various methods of their elimination are used, such as lithotripsy, nephrolithotripsy, nephrolithotomy, and pyelotomy.

Prevention

After all treatment measures have been taken, the patient must be observed by a specialist for timely prevention of secondary adhesion.

Since congenital adhesion tends to negatively affect vital activity and normal functioning, as a preventive measure, one should lead a healthy lifestyle, give up bad habits, and also be constantly under the supervision of doctors.