Retroaortic left renal vein disclosed by digital subtraction angiography -A case report

Retroaortic left renal vein is a relatively uncommon venous anomaly. Its cl inical importance is unclear, but diagnostic and surgically hazardous impli cations make it a condition that must be kept in mind. Computed tomography (CT) scanning has been largely advocated as the most accurate imaging metho d in assessing this anomaly. Digital subtraction angiography (DSA) is not u sually reported as detecting retroaortic left renal veins. The authors repo rt a case in which a retroaortic left renal vein could be detected both by CT scan and by DSA, a finding that could be confirmed intraoperatively duri ng aortic aneurysm surgery. Most of the relevant literature is briefly comm ented on and reviewed.