Polar Artery Research Articles

Bilateral Multiple Renal Vessels Associated with Pyelo‐ureteral Position Anomalies. Case Report

During the routine dissection of a 67‐year‐old male within our university's Department of Anatomy, we identified multiple renal vascular and ductal anomalies.The left kidney was irrigated by three arteries, two with a hilar penetration and one inferior polar artery. All three of these arteries originated from the aorta – two on the anterior side, at the L1 and L3 levels respectively, and the inferior one on the posterior face of the aorta, at the same level as the median sacral artery (L5). All three arteries had accompanying veins. The upper‐most artery was accompanied by the main renal vein, the middle artery – by one of the renal vein's tributaries, and the inferior one by two veins, which joined and opened into the left common iliac vein.The right kidney had two renal arteries, both of aortic origin – the superior one at the L1 level, 0.5cm below the superior mesenteric artery, and the inferior one on the anterior side of the aorta, at the L5 level and at the point where the aorta split into the two common iliac arteries. The superior artery entered the kidney through the sinus and was accompanied by the right renal artery. The inferior artery entered the kidney through the inferior pole, accompanied by a renal vein that drained into the left common iliac vein together with the left inferior polar renal vein.In both kidneys, the renal pelvis was anterior of the vessels, with the ureters having a descending path on the anterior side of the kidneys.Familiarity with such variations in renal vascular and ductal elements is critical for surgical interventions such as for total or partial nephrectomies, aortic aneurysms or renal artery reconstruction for stenosis.This abstract is from the Experimental Biology 2019 Meeting. There is no full text article associated with this abstract published in The FASEB Journal.

Impact of Polar Renal Artery Coverage on Early Renal Function after Chimney Endovascular Aortic Aneurysm Repair

PurposeTo evaluate impact of polar renal artery coverage on early renal function after chimney endovascular aneurysm repair (EVAR). Materials and MethodsConsecutive patients who underwent chimney EVAR for treatment of asymptomatic juxtarenal abdominal aortic aneurysm were retrospectively included. Estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) was recorded before the intervention and at 1-, 5-, 7-, and 30-day follow-up. Patients without a polar renal artery were compared with patients with an uncovered polar renal artery and patients with a polar renal artery covered by the endograft. ResultsAmong 76 patients who underwent chimney EVAR, 15 (19.7%) had a polar renal artery. Four patients (5.3%) had an uncovered polar renal artery and 11 (14.5%) had a covered polar renal artery. The median polar renal artery diameter was 3.3 mm (interquartile range, 2.2–3.8 mm). Preoperative eGFR was similar between the 3 groups (65.5 mL/min/1.73 m2, 61.1 mL/min/1.73 m2, and 53 mL/min/1.73 m2, P = .488). For the 3 groups, postoperative eGFR tended to decrease after the intervention compared with preoperative values, and this decrease reached statistical significance at 5 days and 30 days in patients without a polar renal artery. No significant difference was observed between the 3 groups at any time point. No correlation was observed between the diameter of the covered polar renal artery and eGFR changes postoperatively. ConclusionsPolar renal artery coverage during chimney EVAR does not significantly impair early renal postoperative function, suggesting the safety of the procedure.

Analysis of Intra Renal Arterial Pattern in Kidney Donors using 64-Slice Computed Tomography Angiography

The renal artery when it reaches close to the hilum of kidney where it cleaves into anterior and posterior divisions were receives around 75% and 25% of blood respectively. Further these branches divide into many segmental branches. These segmental arteries does not have collateral system, so when there is any occlusion of these arteries which results in the ischemia of the particular segment of kidney. Anatomists believe that knowledge of presence of lower polar artery is essential for polar nephrectomy. Prior knowledge of variations in the renal vessels is required for urological surgery for preoperative investigations as there are reports of surgical complications which include enormus haemorrhage. In this study we analyzed the different variations in the intra renal branch of inferior segmental artery.

Impact of Polar Renal Artery Coverage after Fenestrated Endovascular Aortic Repair for Juxtarenal and Type IV Thoracoabdominal Aortic Aneurysms

Fenestrated endovascular aortic repair (FEVAR) of complex aneurysm can require the coverage of polar renal artery. The aim of this study was to investigate the impact of the procedure on postoperative outcomes in patients with juxtarenal or thoracoabdominal aortic aneurysms. Patients who had FEVAR for juxtarenal or type IV thoracoabdominal aortic aneurysm were retrospectively included between January 2010 and October 2017. The estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) was recorded before and at 1 day, 7 days after surgery, and at the last follow-up. The occurrence of renal infarct was analyzed on the injected computed tomography scan images. Forty-three patients deemed at high-risk for open repair underwent FEVAR; 10patients (23.3%) had polar renal artery coverage and were compared to patients without polar renal artery. The eGFR did not differ between the groups at 1 day and 7days after FEVAR (69 vs 61.6mL/mn/1.73m2, P=0.8708 and 68.4mL/mn/1.73m2 vs 68, P=0.9440, respectively). For a median follow-up of 233days, the eGFR at the latest follow-up was 38mL/mn/1.73m2 (21.8-56.3) in patients who had polar renal artery covered and 57mL/mn/1.73m2 (46.5-76) in patients without polar renal artery (P=0.0748). Patients who had polar renal artery had a higher rate of postoperative kidney renal infarct (60% vs 21.2%, P=0.0441). The proportion of vascular complications did not differ (30% vs 30.3%, P=0.9999). No endoleak related to polar renal artery coverage was observed. The 30-day postoperative mortality was 4.7%. Polar renal artery coverage during FEVAR is not associated with critical renal and vascular short-term outcomes but could impact long-term renal function.

Study of Renal Artery Patterns in a Sri Lankan Population

Introduction The increased frequency of surgical as well as diagnostic and interventional radiological procedures involving the kidneys and the renal vasculature has shown a definite demand for a re-evaluation of the renal arterial anatomy and its variations. Objective The objective of this study was to assess the anatomy of the renal arterial pattern in a Sri Lankan population. Methodology 382 human cadaver kidneys were analyzed for its arterial anatomy. Results Of the 382 kidneys analysed, single renal arteries were found in 260 specimens (68.06%) and 122 (31.94%) had multiple renal arteries. The incidence of multiple renal arteries in males were 30.68% and 34.75%. in females. A higher number of multiple renal arteries were found on the left, ie: 70 out of 122 (57.38%) compared to 52 out of 122 (42.62%) on the right. A superior polar artery was given off from the main renal arteries in 86 kidneys (22.51%) and an inferior polar artery was noted arising from the main renal artery in 29 kidneys (7.59%). Pre-hilar segmental branching was seen in 111 (29.06%) of the main renal arteries. Conclusion 31.9% of our study population had multiple renal arteries. There was no significant difference with regard to the incidence of multiple renal arteries, between the two sexes nor on the sides. Prior knowledge of possible variations that may exist is important for the diagnostic and interventional radiologists, transplant surgeons and urologists. No detailed study has been done in a Sri Lankan population and in this regard our findings may provide some insight to the practising clinician in Sri Lanka.

Hilar Arteriovenous Pattern in a Case of Horseshoe Kidney

AbstractHorseshoe kidney is a poor congenital formation that results in the union of the lower poles of the kidneys through the fibrous isthmus that crosses the median line, with a prevalence of 0.25% (1 in 400 births), a higher rate in males (2:1 or 3:1), and an important variation in the arrangement of arteries and veins in the hilum. The present study aims to describe the arteriovenous pattern in the renal hilum in a case of horseshoe kidney. A conventional retroperitoneal dissection was performed in a 64-year-old female corpse of brown skin color, legally belonging to the Anatomy Laboratory of Unicastelo, Fernandópolis, state of São Paulo, Brazil, with causa mortis associated with uterine cancer. The dissection revealed a horseshoe kidney, with the right kidney measuring 5.69 cm, the left kidney measuring 11.65 cm, and the isthmus measuring 6.40 cm, and with the presence of a single right superior polar segmental artery (originated in the posterior aspect of the renal artery), of a double left superior polar segmental artery (originated in the renal artery, with one for each renal aspect), of one renal isthmus artery (originated in the posterior aspect of the abdominal aorta), and of one renal isthmus vein (left common iliac vein). Horseshoe kidney is a congenital abnormality whose arteries may originate from branches of the renal artery, of the inferior mesenteric artery, or of the iliac artery. Its veins drain into the renal vein, into the inferior vena cava, or into the iliac vein. It may be associated with hydronephrosis and nephroblastoma. However, no reports in the literature are found regarding the correlation with uterine cancer, highlighting the relevance of the hilar vascular pattern of the reported case.

Laparoscopic near-total splenectomy: a single-center experience of a standardized procedure

Background: Near-total splenectomy (NTS) represents an innovative and effective surgery technique for spleen disease, reducing the risk of severe infections and thromboembolic events after total splenectomy. The authors reported a laparoscopic near-total splenectomy (LNTS) surgical experience following the optimal results of the open approach, describing a standardized and effective minimally invasive technique with the purpose of preserving a minimal residual spleen.Material and methods: From November 2006 to September 2016, 15 patients with splenic and hematologic disease underwent LNTS, according to a laparoscopic procedure developed by the authors. The end criterion was to conserve a remanent spleen of 10–15 cm3 in size.Results: Patient age ranged between 18 and 59 years. Mean operative time was 70 ± 20 min. Mean hospital stay was 3.46 (range 3–7) days. One complication occurred during the surgery for a lesion of the inferior polar artery with need of a total splenectomy. No conversion to open surgery was necessary.Conclusions: LNTS is a safe and effective technique for the management of splenic and hematologic disease with a low intra- and post-operative complication rate, and it can minimize the late sequelae of secondary splenectomy. However, it requires further studies with more cases to evaluate its role.

Evaluation of the Impact of the Covering of the Renal Polar Arteries after Implantation of Fenestrated Stentgrafts for Juxtarenal and Thoracoabdominal Aneurysms

Evaluation of the Impact of the Covering of the Renal Polar Arteries after Implantation of Fenestrated Stentgrafts for Juxtarenal and Thoracoabdominal Aneurysms

VARIATIONS OF RENAL ARTERY: A CADAVERIC STUDY

Introduction: Renal arteries are the lateral branches of abdominal aorta, which vary in number, origin and course. The aim of this study was to document the incidence of renal artery variations in number and position, which can be advantageous to urosurgeons and imaging experts. Material & Methods: The study was conducted on 36 formalin fixed embalmed cadavers. The renal artery variations were observed and noted during routine posterior abdominal wall dissection for medical undergraduates in dissection hall in the Department of Anatomy, BRD Medical College Gorakhpur and IMS, BHU Varanasi. Results: We observed accessory renal artery (ies) in 30.56% of cases with unilateral incidence in 27.78% and bilateral in 2.67% cases. Accessory hilar renal artery (ies) were observed in 16.68% and accessory polar renal artery (ies) in 13.89% cases. Accessory arteries were more common on left (16.68%) than on the right side (11.12%). Inferior polar arteries were more common than superior polar arteries. Conclusion: Knowledge of the variations of renal artery is of immense importance to the urosurgeons during renal transplantation, partial nephrectomy, laparoscopic surgery and angiographic interpretation by radiologists.

Three-dimensional computed tomography analysis of the vascular anatomy of the splenic hilum for gastric cancer surgery.

Splenic infarction may occur if the splenic branches are injured or ligated accidentally during gastrectomy. We used three-dimensional computed tomography (3D-CT) imaging to distinguish the vascular anatomy of the splenic hilum in individual patients, focusing on the splenic polar branches and the gastric branches. The subjects of this study were 104 patients who underwent computed tomography (CT) with intravenous contrast before gastrectomy. SYNAPSE 3D® (Fujifilm Medical, Tokyo, Japan) was used to generate the 3D-CT images. The total spleen volume and the area supplied by the superior polar artery (SPA) in each patient were estimated using the "liver analysis" function. The SPA without the gastric branch (supplying only the spleen), the SPA with the gastric branch (supplying both the stomach and the spleen), and the posterior gastric artery (supplying only the stomach) were present in 14, 45, and 18% of the patients, respectively. The SPA supplied 12% of the total spleen volume on average; however, it supplied over 30% in two patients. We identified the vascular anatomy around the splenic hilum in over 100 patients. Based on our findings, we recommend preservation of the SPA when it is supplying a large area of the spleen. Preoperative 3D-CT analysis provides useful information to optimize safe gastrectomy.

First Case of Right Malrotated Kidney Transplantation

Vascular anatomy may widely vary in malrotated kidneys, depending on the degree of rotation. Polar arteries and venules are often accompanied by structural and positional anomalies of the kidney that can make donor nephrectomy more complicated. Detailed evaluation of the donor before surgery is very important for both surgeon and patient. In particular, vascular anatomy should be evaluated in detail by modern imaging methods in donor nephrectomy. Herein we share our experience with right malrotated kidney open donor nephrectomy.

Clinical and Neuroimaging Findings in Thalamic Territory Infarctions: A Review.

The thalamus is a part of the diencephalon, containing numerous connections between the forebrain and subcortical structures. It serves an important function as a relay center between the cerebral cortex and the subcortical regions, particularly with sensory information. The thalamus also plays a major role in regulating arousal and the levels of awareness. Distinct vascular distribution of the thalamus give rises to different syndromic presentation of thalamic nuclei infarcts. The clinical records and available imaging studies of patients with confirmed thalamic territory infarcts on magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) at the University Hospital of Rochester were reviewed and analyzed. This analysis was then used to provide an effective summary of thalamic vascular anatomy, the clinical symptoms, and syndromes associated with strokes in the affected territories. Specifically, we review the syndromes associated with classic vascular territories, including the anterior, paramedian, inferolateral, and posterior thalamic nuclei, that are supplied by the polar (tuberothalamic), paramedian, inferolateral (thalamogeniculate), and posterior choroidal arteries, respectively. In addition, we will also review the variant thalamic territories and associated infarction syndromes of the anteromedian, central, and posterolateral territories. This review article is aimed to better the clinical and radiologic understanding as well as the diagnosis of classic and variant thalamic territory infarcts. This article will also briefly touch on the recovery of function after thalamic infarcts.

Renal vasculature: Spectrum of anatomical variations and the significance from a surgeon's standpoint

Background: Renal vasculature is known for having a broad spectrum of variants, and some of them hold important implications at the time of renal surgeries, particularly for the renal transplant. Materials and Methods: This observational study was performed using multidetector computed tomography (MDCT) angiography in patients with various renal and other abdominal disorders and advised for pathologies in which MDCT angiography was indicated. A total of 760 patients were evaluated. Various parameters that have surgical importance were studied. Results: This study includes 123 (16%) patients that had accessory renal artery on right side and 152 (20%) patients that had on the left side. Among the right-side renal artery patients, 72 (58.5%) were hilar and 51 (41.5%) were polar arteries, and of left-side patients, 94 (61.8%) were hilar and 58 (38.2%) were polar arteries. The average diameter of the right and left renal artery was 5.1 and 5.07 mm, respectively. The average diameter of the right and left accessory renal artery was 2.4 and 2.6 mm, respectively. Early segmentary bifurcation of the right renal artery was seen in 651 patients (85.6%) with 319 (42%) being retro-caval, and early segmentary bifurcation of the left renal artery was seen in 94 patients (12.3%). Double right and left renal veins were seen in 96 (12.6%) and 37 (4.8%) patients, respectively. Late right renal vein confluence was seen in 50.6% of patients (340/671). Late left renal vein confluence was seen in 181 out of 700 patients (25.85%); 60 (7.9%) patients had circum-/retro-aortic renal vein. Conclusion: CT angiography is highly accurate modality for evaluation of renal vasculature. Although the increasing number of laparoscopic nephrectomies being performed as part of renal transplant procedure, it is becoming important for the radiologists to better understand the anatomy, its variations, its implications, and to accurately demonstrate vascular anatomy on imaging to the surgical team.

Variations of renal vascular anatomy in a nigerian population: A computerized tomography studys.

A broad spectrum of renal vascular variations has been reported by anatomists and radiologists. The prevalence of these variations is extremely divergent in different populations. Therefore, radiologists and surgeons in different climes must be knowledgeable about the type and prevalence of the variants in their area of practice to avoid diagnostic pitfalls and for optimization of surgical techniques. The objective of this study is to describe the types and prevalence of renal vascular variations among patients undergoing contrast-enhanced computerized tomography (CECT) of the abdomen in a Nigerian population, as well as provide a concise review of literature on the embryological basis and clinical significance of the identified variations. This study was a retrospective review of 200 CECT of the abdomen to identify variations of arterial (accessory, early branching, and precaval) and venous (multiple, retroaortic, and circumaortic) anatomy of the kidneys. We studied 200 patients, 102 (51%) females and 98 (49%) males. Age range is 18-90 years (mean = 53.08 ± 17.01). Prevalence of any renal vascular variations was 50%, arterial variations were 37%, and venous variations were 13%. Variations were significantly more common in males, P = 0.000075. The most common arterial variant was the accessory renal artery (23%) seen in 10% (right) and 13.0% (left); early branching was seen in 4.0% (right) and 0.5% (left) as well as precaval right renal artery seen in 4.5%. Venous variants were late confluence 3.0% (right) and 2.5% (left); multiple veins was seen in 2.5% (right) and 2.5% (left) as well as retroaortic left renal vein seen in 2.0%. The inferior polar accessory artery was the most prevalent accessory artery. Early arterial bifurcation was significantly more common on the right (P = 0.016) while other vascular variants showed no statistically significant association with laterality. Variation of renal vascular anatomy is a frequent finding among Nigerians. Radiologists and surgeons must be aware of these variants for optimization of surgical techniques.

Minimally invasive management of renal artery pseudoaneurysm following robotic nephron-sparing surgery: Report of two cases and review of literature

Partial nephrectomy (PN) either done open, laparoscopic, or robotic is associated with the complication of renal artery pseudoaneurysm (RAP), which is rare but can have grave prognosis. Minimally invasive intervention using endovascular techniques can safely treat this problem with minimal morbidity. We present here two cases of RAP following robotic PN. The first case was a 78-year male patient who underwent robotic PN 3 months prior for a 55 mm × 53 mm clear cell carcinoma of the left lower renal pole. On his 3-month follow-up computerized tomography (CT), he was incidentally diagnosed with a 48 mm × 40 mm × 36 mm well-defined pseudoaneurysm with supply from the lower polar accessory renal artery. The second case was a 42-year male patient who had undergone a robotic PN for a 3.5 cm renal mass. On day 24 postsurgery, he developed hematuria and evaluation with renal CT angiography showed two pseudoaneurysms of approximately 8–9 mm each; associated with a hematoma extending from the mid pole of the left kidney to the tail of the pancreas. We managed to successfully embolize the RAPs endovascularly in both the patients; case one with glue and case two with coils. Both patients were discharged on the next day with no side effects, complications, or morbidity. RAP post-PN; though rare, is a dreaded complication that one should be aware of and be able to treat it timely. Knowing how to managing these situations with minimally invasive techniques should be a part of the armamentarium of all endovascular specialists.

Urine Leak Following Kidney Transplantation: An Evidence-based Management Plan

Care of kidney transplant recipient remains complex and long-term graft survival is not seen in every transplant recipient. Due to reduced supply and increased demand of human organs, more transplants are carried out using marginal grafts on emergency lists. Transplant recipients have altered physiology due to known end-stage renal disease, recent surgery and the use of potent analgesic and immunosuppressive medications. Amongst the known surgical complications, urine leak remains the most common. It can result from poor graft preparation due to excessive peri ureteric or lower pole dissection or damage to lower polar artery resulting in ischemic necrosis. In addition, poor surgical technique, bladder outflow obstruction, iatrogenic injury to bladder or renal pelvis may contribute to urine leak. On-going urine leak may manifest itself as swelling, pain, high drain output, sepsis, ileus and eventual graft loss. Early identification, localisation and quantification of leak remain essential in management of these patients. In addition, sepsis should be identified and treated promptly as these patients are highly susceptible to infections. Early recognition of this complication can significantly reduce hospital stay, improve quality of life, reduce graft loss and mortality. In this article, we aim to develop an evidence-based management approach to a patient with urine leak using a clinical scenario.

Dupla variação anatômica vascular em um único indivíduo: estudo morfométrico

Introdução: Variações anatômicas são pequenas diferenças morfológicas congênitas que aparecem nos diferentes sistemas orgânicos, as quais não acarretam prejuízo ou distúrbio funcional para o indivíduo. No que diz respeito aos vasos sanguíneos, alterações no desenvolvimento embriológico podem gerar duplicidade de vasos, agenesia ou ocasionar o surgimento de artérias e o desembocar de veias fora da descrição anatômica padrão. Relato de caso: Foi observada dupla variação anatômica vascular em um indivíduo durante uma dissecação de rotina no Laboratório de Anatomia do Centro Universitário São Camilo. A artéria renal principal tinha origem na parte abdominal da artéria aorta seguindo até sua entrada no hilo renal, porém, em vez de um trajeto retilíneo a partir da aorta, a mesma possuía um trajeto descendente e bem angulado. A partir da artéria renal principal surgia uma artéria polar aberrante que entrava no polo inferior do rim direito. Em um nível mais inferior, na altura da bifurcação da aorta, originava-se outra artéria polar aberrante que entrava no hilo renal, seguindo um trajeto retilíneo até o polo inferior do rim direito. A artéria hepática comum originava-se no tronco celíaco seguindo até sua entrada na porta do fígado. A artéria mesentérica superior possuía origem no tronco celíaco. A artéria hepática direita originava-se na artéria mesentérica superior. Conclusão: O estudo das variações anatômicas constitui-se tarefa árdua em virtude das inúmeras expressões diferentes que ocorrem no corpo humano, porém, o conhecimento dessas variações é de extrema valia para a clínica e o planejamento cirúrgico, garantindo a precisão e evitando complicações pós-cirúrgicas ou diagnósticos errôneos.

Angiotomografía renal en el donante vivo y su correlación con la ablación quirúrgica

ObjectiveTo determine the accuracy of computed tomography renal angiography (CTRA) in the assessment and diagnosis of arterial vascular anatomy of the kidney and its variations in living kidney donors, with its correlation in harvesting kidneys. Materials and methodsPatients who had undergone laparoscopic nephrectomy as living kidney donors and their CTRA were retrospectively evaluated between 2014 and 2016 in our institution. Results are presented using statistical descriptive analysis. The following were assessed in the CTRA report: number of main renal arteries, presence and number of accessory polar arteries, and anomalies related to renal artery calibre. ResultsOf the 21 patients that had undergone laparoscopic nephrectomy as living donors, there were 10 female and 11 male donors (age range 23 - 61 years). Renal harvesting included left kidney in all cases. In 15 cases, no anatomical variations or arterial renal dilations were found in computed tomography renal angiography (CTRA): (one main renal artery, without accessories arteries). The same findings were certified during the surgery. In one case CTRA showed a double renal artery, and the same finding occurred in the surgical harvesting; and three cases in which one single polar accessory artery was certified at surgery. An overall accuracy of 90.4% for CTRA was obtained in 19 cases. In the remaining 2 cases, a discrepancy was found. ConclusionDetailed knowledge of the renal arterial anatomy is important for the preoperative evaluation of the laparoscopic nephrectomy in living renal donors. Computed tomography renal angiography (CTRA) is the technique of choice for these patients, as it demonstrates a high correlation between tomography findings and surgery harvesting.

Encountering the Accessory Polar Renal Artery during Laparoscopic Para-Aortic Lymphadenectomy

A 60-year-old Korean woman underwent laparoscopic bilateral salpingo-oophorectomy and was confirmed to have high-grade serous carcinoma of both ovaries with a huge omental cake, extensive agglutinated intra-abdominal metastatic masses, extensive serosa invasion of the intestines, and mesenterial deposits. She underwent 3 cycles of neoadjuvant chemotherapy followed by laparoscopic interval debulking surgery, including hysterectomy, pelvic and para-aortic lymphadenectomy, appendectomy, partial peritonectomy, and omentectomy. We encountered the right accessory polar renal artery (APRA) during the surgery and carefully preserved the right APRA from the abdominal aorta to the right kidney (Fig. 1). Postoperative computed tomography angiography showed an intact right APRA and normal-appearing kidney (Fig. 2). The patient had adjuvant chemotherapy and is alive without disease recurrence. Because APRA is a functional end artery, it is important to preserve it during surgery to prevent ischemic damage and renal failure [1]. It is very important for the gynecologic-oncologist to have knowledge of the retroperitoneal vascular anatomy, experience in laparoscopic surgery, and an accurate surgical technique to avoid vascular injury during laparoscopic para-aortic lymphadenectomy.

Anatomical variations of the renal arteries: Cadaveric and radiologic study, review of the literature, and proposal of a new classification of clinical interest

PurposeTo analyse the variations of the renal arteries in two samples, cadaveric and computerized tomographic (CT) images, as well as to propose a simple classification of such variations based on the obtained results and an extensive review of the literature on the topic. Material and methodsSixty human dissected kidneys and their vessels, and 583 abdominal CT were studied. ResultsA total of 86 arteries were described in the cadaveric sample, whereas 1223 were analysed in the radiological one. Five types (a–e) and patterns (I–V) have been stablished in the classification. Type a, aortic hilar artery, incidences were 79% in cadavers and 95% in CT; Type b, hilar upper polar artery, incidences were 10% in cadavers and 2% in CT; Type c, aortic upper polar artery, incidences were 5% in cadavers and 2% in CT; Type d, aortic lower polar artery, incidences were 3% in cadavers and 1% in CT; Type e, hilar lower polar artery, incidences were 2% in cadaver and less than 0.1% in CT. The pattern represents the number of arteries reaching one kidney. Patterns I–IV were found in cadavers (I: 78%; II: 19%; III and IV: 2%); in CT sample only patterns I (88%) and II (12%). Pattern V was added because it has been described in the reviewed literature. ConclusionsType a and pattern I are the most prevalent, both in the cadaveric and the CT samples. Also in the consulted literature. There are no differences in the types and pattern incidences by side or sex. A simple, comprehensive and useful classification is proposed.