Renal artery variations, while often asymptomatic, are critical considerations in diagnostic and surgical interventions. These variations, resulting from embryological development, can include accessory or aberrant vessels. This case series documents four rare renal arterial variations observed in a cadaveric dissection study in Zambia, a region with a significant burden of kidney disease. During the routine dissection of formalin-fixed cadavers, four rare aberrant renal arteries were identified and documented as anatomical variations in three male cadavers Notable findings included inferior polar arteries originating from the abdominal aorta below the superior mesenteric artery, present in 12.5% of the cadaveric sample, and a superior polar artery arising from the main renal artery, identified in 4.16%. A comprehensive understanding of renal vascular anatomy and its variations is essential. Such knowledge is crucial for the accurate interpretation of imaging studies, aids in the early diagnosis of vascular-related pathologies, and is indispensable for the pre-operative planning of renal and abdominal procedures to enhance patient safety and outcomes.
Syamuleya et al. (Thu,) studied this question.