Double retroaortic left renal vein

Last revised by Yaïr Glick on 28 Jul 2021

Double retroaortic left renal vein is a very rare entity that is usually clinically silent and detected incidentally at imaging, surgery, or autopsy.

The knowledge of anatomical variations helps the surgeon or interventionist to avoid complications during surgery and interventional procedures 4 and this entity is no exception. Though usually asymptomatic, this anomaly can rarely cause certain clinical symptoms and the knowledge of its existence can aid in the diagnosis.

The incidence of a retroaortic left renal vein is reported to be ~2% 1. Occurrence of a double left renal vein is ~2.5% of this group. Hence, the combination of both can be assumed to be rare.

Usually it is an incidental finding at imaging, surgery, or autopsy. Possible symptoms include 2,3:

The left renal vein originates from the primitive renal venous collar. The venous collar is formed by regression of the paired postcardinal veins. This process occurs around the eighth week of embryogenesis. Laterally, the venous collar is formed by paired dorsal and ventral primitive renal veins. These attach to the central ventral subcardinal and dorsal supracardinal veins which are paired. Variations are seen according to the persistence or regression of various parts of this system.

The two renal veins are called the superior and inferior left renal vein:

ADVERTISEMENT: Supporters see fewer/no ads

Updating… Please wait.

 Unable to process the form. Check for errors and try again.

 Thank you for updating your details.