The use of multi detector computed tomography in assessing the retroaortic left renal vein and accompanying vessel anomalies.

OBJECTIVE: Because renal venous variations possess potential hazards during abdominal aortic surgery or laparoscopic donor nephrectomy, the detailed preoperative evaluation of the renal vessels with angiography should be performed to avoid vascular injuries. We present multidetector row computed tomography (MDCT) findings of the retroaortic left renal vein (RLRV) with other vascular variations.
MATERIALS AND METHODS: Twenty-two patients with RLRV were evaluated with MDCT using multiplanar images, MIP images, and 3D volume rendering.
RESULTS: The RLRVs with accessory renal vessels and other variant veins draining into the left renal vein were effectively evaluated in all patients.
CONCLUSIONS: MDCT angiography is an effective technique for evaluating abdominal vessels, and it presents adequate images of renal vessels and vascular variations, which pose importance before abdominal surgery.