Retroaortic left renal vein: a clinically significant vascular variation with suggestion of a practical typological scheme

The retroaortic left renal vein (RLRV) is a rare vascular variant with typical position of the between abdominal aorta and vertebral column. Despite usually asymptomatic, RLRV might be associated posterior nutcracker syndrome, other pathologies may cause major surgical complications. An existing but not expected hamper aortic dissection to life threatening bleeding. A case was observed during routine formalin fixed 62-year-old female cadaver. kidney found ectopic located lower than usual level L1 L4 vertebra. formed in hilum at L2/L3 intervertebral disc, then passed obliquely downwards behind join inferior vena cava upper border length 7.5 cm. main tributaries were suprarenal ovarian veins. Measuring diameters showed slight dilation its origin. Based on literature review, variation reported here can classified as Type II – draining normal cava. extended classification scheme variations presented well an optional typological scheme.