Persistent fetal lobulation of the kidneys
Last revised by Tariq Walizai
on 7 Jan 2025
Citation, DOI, disclosures and article data
Citation:
Weerakkody Y, Walizai T, Wilczek M, et al. Persistent fetal lobulation of the kidneys. Reference article, Radiopaedia.org (Accessed on 18 Jan 2025) https://doi.org/10.53347/rID-6237
rID:
6237
Article created:
Disclosures:
At the time the article was created Yuranga Weerakkody had no recorded disclosures.
View Yuranga Weerakkody's current disclosures
Last revised:
7 Jan 2025,
Tariq Walizai
Disclosures:
At the time the article was last revised Tariq Walizai had no financial relationships to ineligible companies to disclose.
View Tariq Walizai's current disclosures
Revisions:
9 times, by
7 contributors -
see full revision history and disclosures
Systems:
Sections:
Synonyms:
- Persistent fetal lobulation of kidneys
- Persistent fetal lobulation
- Perisitent renal fetal lobulatation
- Persistent foetal lobulation
- Persistent foetal lobulation of kidneys
Persistent fetal lobulation is a normal variant seen occasionally in adult kidneys. It occurs when there is incomplete fusion of the developing renal lobules. Embryologically, the kidneys originate as distinct lobules that fuse as they develop and grow.
Radiographic features
It is often seen on ultrasound, CT or MRI as smooth indentations of the renal outline in between the renal pyramids.
Differential diagnosis
renal cortical defects (generally overlie the pyramids)
junctional parenchymal defect of kidney (also results from the incomplete fusion of renal lobules)
References
- 1. Bhatt S, Maclennan G, Dogra V. Renal pseudotumors. AJR Am J Roentgenol. 2007;188 (5): 1380-7. doi:10.2214/AJR.06.0920 - Pubmed citation
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