Exploring Anatomical Variations and Potential Associations between the Upper Urinary Tract and Renal Vasculature: Findings from 160-Slice CT Imaging in Northern Nigeria.

Introduction: As anatomical variations relate to the urinary system, knowledge on them 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.

Materials and methods: A total of 200 computed tomograms were generated with Toshiba Aquilion Prime 160-slice scanner and analysed for the presence of potential anatomical variations using a Vitrea multi-modality work station capable of image post-processing by two expert radiologists.

Results: Anatomical variations of the upper urinary tract were commoner on the right with a prevalence of 33.5% and 29.0% on the right and left, respectively, while for the renal vasculature, the variations are commoner on the left at 27.0% and 28.5%, respectively. 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 a statistically significant association between anatomical variations of the upper urinary tract and renal vasculature with a P < 0.001.

Conclusion: This study proposed that anatomical variations of the upper urinary tract are commoner on the right side, while for the 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.