Association of Upper Urinary Tract and Renal Vasculature Anatomical Variations: Evidence From Northern Nigeria

Abstract Background The knowledge of anatomical variations as they relate to the urinary system is valuable, especially in the proper evaluation and conduction of surgical as well as interventional procedures of the urinary tract. The study aimed to determine the prevalence and possible association between anatomical variations of the upper urinary tract and renal vasculature. Methodology : A total of 200 computed tomograms were generated with Toshiba Aquilion Prime 160-slice scanner and analyzed for the presence of potential anatomical variations using a Vitrea multimodality work station capable of image post processing by two expert radiologists. Results The most common anatomical variation of the upper urinary tract found on the right was extra-renal bifid pelvis at 25 (12.5%) while on the left it was baggy extra-renal pelvis at 27 (13.5%). Early branching hilar renal artery and accessory superior polar renal artery both at 19 (9.5%) were the most common renal vasculature variations on the right and left respectively. There was statistically significant association between anatomical variations of the upper urinary tract and renal vasculature with a p-value of < 0.001. Conclusion This study showed that anatomical variations of the upper urinary tract are commoner on the right side while for renal vasculature they are commoner on the left. There was a statistically significant association between the anatomical variations of the upper urinary tract and that of the renal vasculature indicating an increasing likelihood of one occurring if the other is present.