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Ectopic Kidney

Overview


Most people are born with two kidneys. Factors can sometimes affect how the kidneys develop. An ectopic kidney is a kidney that does not grow in the proper location. Information here will help you talk with your urologist if you or your child has an ectopic kidney.

Ectopic kidney (or “renal ectopia”) describes a kidney that isn’t located in its usual position. Ectopic kidneys are thought to occur in about 1 out of 900 births. But only about 1 out of 10 of these are ever diagnosed. They may be found while treating other conditions.

Ectopic kidneys don’t move up to the usual position. They can be located anywhere along the path they usually take to get to their normal place in the upper abdomen.

One may also cross over so that both kidneys are on the same side of the body. When a kidney crosses over, the two kidneys on the same side often grow together and become fused.



Symptoms

The most common symptoms linked to the ectopic kidney are:

1.Urinary Tract Infections (UTI)

2.Belly pain

3.A lump in the abdomen


A kidney in an abnormal spot may still work properly. But because of the change, it may have problems draining. Up to 1 out of 2 ectopic kidneys are at least partly blocked. Over time, these blockages can lead to serious problems, such as:

1.Urinary Tract Infections (UTIs)

2.Kidney Stones

3.Kidney Failure

Ectopic kidneys are also linked to vesicoureteral reflux (VUR ). VUR is a condition where urine backs up from the bladder through the ureters into the kidneys. Over time, VUR can lead to infections. Infections can cause damage to the kidney that can’t be fixed. The non-ectopic kidney can also have problems like blockages or VUR.



Diagnosis

Only about 1 out of 10 ectopic kidneys are ever diagnosed. Often, health care providers find ectopic kidneys while treating other conditions. A health care provider may also find them when looking for the cause of symptoms mentioned earlier. These imaging tests could help your health care provider find an ectopic kidney:

1.Ultrasound

2.Intravenous Pyelogram (IVP)

3.Voiding Cystourethrogram (VCUG)

4.Radionuclide Scan

5.Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI)

Your health care provider may also order blood tests to see how well your kidneys are working.


Treatment

An ectopic kidney only needs to be treated if there’s a blockage or urine backing up into the kidney (VUR).

If the kidney isn’t badly damaged by the time the abnormality is discovered, surgery can remove the blockage or fix VUR. But if the kidney is badly scarred and not working well, it may need to be removed.


After Treatment

It’s possible to live a normal life after a kidney is removed if the remaining kidney is working well.


Causes

Ectopic kidney occurs during fetal development. Kidneys, in general, develop as outgrowths or buds within the pelvis before they move upwards to their position at the rear end of the rib cage. The upward movement of the kidney occurs between the 6th and 9th weeks of embryo development. ‘Ectopic’ usually refers to an organ that is out of place. When one of the kidneys remains in the pelvis, or moves upward but fuses with the second kidney, or moves higher than its normal position, an ectopic kidney is formed. Some of the causes for this defect in movement are:


1.Genetic defects

2.Defects in the kidney tissue that provides the signal to move upward from the pelvis

3.Exposure of the pregnant mother to a drug, or a chemical, or an illness that results in defects in kidney development in the baby

4.Under-developed kidney bud


Complications and Risks in Ectopic Kidney

Some of the risks and complications observed with ectopic kidneys are as follows:

1.Kidney Stones or Calculi: Calcium and oxalate stones form in the urine based on the content in the urine.

2.Trauma: When the kidney is located near the pelvis, it is susceptible to injury from an impact due to conditions, such as contact sports.

3.Urinary Tract Infections: When the urine accumulates in the kidneys or there is a backflow from the bladder to the kidneys, chances of urinary infections increase.

4.Hypertension: Abnormalities in kidney function can result in hypertension.

5.Kidney Failure: This occurs when both the kidneys stop functioning. This is extremely rare. Generally, one kidney functions normally if the other is an ectopic kidney. When there is an accumulation of urine, the kidney fails to eliminate wastes from the blood.



Is ectopic kidney dangerous

An ectopic kidney usually doesn't cause health problems, or complications, and may work normally. Most people are born with two kidneys, so if your ectopic kidney doesn't work at all, your other kidney may be able to do the work both kidneys would have done.


Is it normal to have an ectopic kidney?

Ectopic kidney (or “renal ectopia”) describes a kidney that isn't located in its usual position. Ectopic kidneys are thought to occur in about 1 out of 900 births. But only about 1 out of 10 of these are ever diagnosed. They may be found while treating other conditions.



What happens in ectopic kidney?

In the case of an ectopic kidney, one of the kidneys does not move to the right place. It may remain in the pelvis. It may move upward but stop before it reaches its usual position. It may move higher than its normal position.







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