Bilateral multiple renal arteries with anomalous origin of ovarian arteries on both sides– A case report

Introduction: Knowledge of presence of supernumerary renal arteries with anomalous origin of gonadal arteries are important with increased use of laparoscopic renal surgeries and donor nephrectomy. Transplantation of kidney may be jeopardized with aberrant renal and gonadal arteries. Therefore this case report will help surgeons to understand the possible abnormalities which are very important clinically. Methods: During routine dissection of abdomen of an embalmed female cadaver of about 70years of age, the renal and gonadal vascular abnormalities have been noted in the Dept. of Anatomy, IPGMER, Kolkata, India. Results: Bilateral four renal arteries were found, in right side the ovarian artery originated from third renal artery from above and in left side from the lower most one. In right side all the renal arteries originated from abdominal aorta separately, three arose above the superior mesenteric artery and one below. The upper three renal arteries entered through renal hilum, crossing the inferior vena cava (IVC) from behind but the fourth one entered through the lower pole after crossing the IVC anteriorly. In left side the upper three arose from a common arterial trunk from abdominal aorta as early division of main renal artery and the fourth one originated separately from abdominal aorta. The first one entered the left kidney through upper pole while the rest through hilum. Conclusions: Though the variations of renal and gonadal vessels may be silent/undiagnosed throughout the life, their presence may result in vascular injury of any additional vessels during renal /retroperitoneal surgery.