Humpback kidney

Sometimes, during an echographic examination of the kidneys, a local protrusion of the kidney contours is detected, which is called a "humpback kidney". This manifestation is often confused with a tumor, but when diagnosing a humpback kidney, attention is paid to the intact natural structure of the renal parenchyma. What are the causes of this anomaly, and does it affect kidney function, the general condition of the body and quality of life?

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Causes humpback kidney

Humpback kidney refers to anomalies of the urinary system and is a congenital disorder of the kidney shape. According to statistics, kidney anomalies account for at least 40% of the main human developmental defects. This pathology is usually discovered accidentally during routine medical examinations or during examinations related to other diseases.

The causes of most anomalies are still unclear. These are rare, occasional, congenital defects that do not tend to reoccur in future generations.

The majority of anomalies have a common cause of development - the presence of several minor genetic problems, environmental influences, diseases that the mother suffered during pregnancy, the effect of ionizing radiation and certain medications on the fetus.

The formation of developmental anomalies, in particular, a humped kidney, occurs mainly at the stage of organ formation (from 3 to 10 weeks of gestation). This process occurs at the intracellular level: failures in cell reproduction lead to excessive tissue growth along the lateral contour of the kidney. The defect can occur independently or have other related manifestations.

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Symptoms humpback kidney

A humped kidney is not a disease, but merely an anatomical feature of an absolutely healthy kidney, when the renal pelvis system is not damaged, but there is unevenness in the contours of the organ.

If the humpback kidney is not a painful condition, then as such, there are no symptoms when diagnosing a humpback kidney. A person can live peacefully, work, play sports, lead an active lifestyle, not make any complaints about problems with the urinary system, moreover, he often does not even guess about the presence of such an anomaly, and learns about it completely by accident.

A humped kidney may never make itself known throughout life. Clinical manifestations may occur only when concomitant pathological processes occur in the kidney, for example, specific symptoms and a classic picture of pyelonephritis, urolithiasis, nephrosis of various etiologies, the development of cysts and other neoplasms, or another background disease will be presented.

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Diagnostics humpback kidney

Diagnosis of a humped kidney involves a number of methods that allow this anomaly to be identified with more serious diseases, in particular, with oncology.

If necessary, static scintigraphy is used, as well as excretory urography - an X-ray method of examining the kidneys by introducing a special radiopaque substance into the blood (this substance is excreted by the kidneys, which allows for the assessment of morphological and functional changes in the organs).

Today, the most popular are ultrasound examination of the kidneys (one of the safest methods), computed tomography of the kidneys (magnetic resonance imaging), radioisotope and ultrasound scanning of organs. Using these diagnostic methods, it is possible to obtain a detailed idea of the forms and detailed location of the defect.

In some cases, X-ray examination reveals an increase in the shadow of one pole of the kidney. This sign can often be differentiated from the development of a tumor process. This feature is most often seen in the middle part of the kidney and is a clear protrusion of the lateral edges of the organ.

Additional studies are prescribed on an individual basis and if necessary.

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Treatment humpback kidney

A diagnosed humpback kidney does not require treatment if there are no clinical symptoms or complaints from the patient.

Therapy for a humped kidney becomes necessary when any concomitant disease occurs in this organ of the urinary system. Most often, pyelonephritis (inflammatory lesion of the renal pelvis), glomerulonephritis (inflammation of the renal glomeruli), nephrosis, and urolithiasis can be diagnosed in a humped kidney. In such pathologies, it is advisable to prescribe antibacterial drugs (depending on the sensitivity of the pathogen's microflora), immunostimulants, and detoxification therapy.

The incidence of pyelonephritis is not related to the presence or absence of renal malformations.

If complications arise in the form of organ shrinkage and persistent increase in blood pressure associated with kidney problems, while maintaining less than 30% of their functional capacity, a nephrectomy (surgical removal of the affected kidney) is performed.

Forecast

The prognosis for diagnosed humpback kidney is generally favorable. In cases of infection, complications and concomitant diseases, the prognosis directly depends on the nature of the course and effectiveness of therapy for the resulting pyelonephritis or urolithiasis, hydronephrosis or neoplasms.

Much depends on the patient’s attitude to such a diagnosis: there is no need to be upset, sad, and especially not to give up on a full-fledged future existence.

It is important to remember that a humped kidney is not a disease, not a pathological condition, but merely a developmental anomaly, laid down by the body during the period of embryonic formation. Therefore, without a doubt, with a healthy humped kidney, a person can lead a full life, play sports, eat normal food, and does not require special treatment.

In the absence of additional diseases and complications, the diagnosis of “humped kidney” does not pose a danger to the patient’s life and health.

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