Humpbacked kidney

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

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Causes of the humpbacked kidney

Humpback kidney refers to anomalies in the development of the urinary system and is a congenital disorder of the shape of the kidney. According to statistics, kidney anomalies account for no less than 40% of the major human developmental malformations. This pathology is usually detected accidentally during medical examinations, or in examinations related to other diseases.

The causes of the occurrence of most anomalies have not yet been elucidated. These are rare, appearing from time to time, birth defects that do not tend to reappear in future generations.

For the main number of anomalies, there is a collective cause of development - the presence of several minor genetic problems, the impact of the environment, the diseases that the mother suffered during pregnancy, the effect on the fetus of ionizing radiation and certain drugs.

The formation of developmental abnormalities, in particular, of the humpbacked kidney, occurs mainly during the stage of the laying of organs (from 3 to 10 weeks of gestation). This process occurs at the intracellular level: malfunctions in the multiplication of cells lead to an excessive buildup of tissues along the lateral contour of the kidney. A defect can occur on its own or have other related manifestations.

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Symptoms of the humpbacked kidney

Humpback kidney is not a disease, but just an anatomical feature of an absolutely healthy kidney, when the renal-tubular system is not broken, but there is uneven contour of the organ.

If the humpbacked kidney is not a painful condition, then as such, there is no symptomatology in the diagnosis of the humpbacked kidney. A person can safely live, work, play sports, lead an active lifestyle, not make any complaints about the problems of the urinary system, moreover, he often does not even suspect that he has such an anomaly, and learn about it completely by accident.

A hunchback kidney can never make itself felt in a lifetime. Clinical manifestations can occur only in the presence of concomitant pathological processes in the kidney, for example, specific symptomatology and a classical picture of pyelonephritis, urolithiasis, nephroses of various etiologies, development of cysts and other neoplasms, or other background disease will be presented  .

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Diagnostics of the humpbacked kidney

Diagnosis of the humpback kidney is a series of methods that allow to identify this anomaly with more serious diseases, in particular, with oncology.

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

To date, the most popular are  ultrasonic examination of the kidneys  (one of the safest methods), computer tomography of the kidneys (magnetic resonance examination), methods of radioisotope and ultrasound scanning organs. Thanks to the use of these diagnostic methods, one can get a detailed picture of the forms and the detailed location of the defect in detail.

In some cases, an X-ray examination shows an increase in the shadow of any pole of the kidney. Often this feature can be differentiated with the development of the tumor process. This feature is seen most often in the middle part of the kidney and represents a clear protrusion of the lateral edges of the organ.

The appointment of additional studies is carried out on an individual basis and in case of need.

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Treatment of the humpbacked kidney

Diagnosed humpback kidney does not require treatment if there are no clinical symptoms and complaints from the patient.

Therapy with a humpback kidney becomes necessary when a concomitant disease occurs in a given organ of the urinary system. More often in the humpback kidney it is possible to diagnose pyelonephritis (inflammatory lesion of the cup-and-pelvis system), glomerulonephritis (inflammation of the kidney glomeruli), nephrosis, urolithiasis. With such pathologies, it is advisable to prescribe antibacterial drugs (depending on the sensitivity of the microflora of the pathogen), immunostimulating agents, and detoxification therapy.

The frequency of pyelonephritis development is not related to the presence or absence of renal formation anomalies.

If there are complications in the form of wrinkling of the body and a steady increase in arterial pressure associated with kidney problems, while maintaining less than 30% of their functional capacity, nephrectomy (operative removal of the affected kidney) is performed.

Forecast

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

Much depends on the attitude of the patient to this diagnosis: do not get upset, upset, and even more to put an end to a further full-fledged existence.

It must be remembered that the humpbacked kidney is not a disease, not a pathological condition, but only an anomaly of development laid by the body even in the period of embryonic formation. Therefore, without any doubt, in the presence of a healthy humpback kidney, a person can lead a full-fledged lifestyle, exercise, eat regular food, he does not need special treatment.

In the absence of additional diseases and complications, the diagnosis of the "humped kidney" does not pose a threat to the life and health of the patient.

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