Ectopic vascularization of the right kidney by a contralateral origin of the main renal artery from the left common iliac artery: report of a case.

In daily practice, an atypical renal blood supply is a rare finding. An ectopic origin of the right main renal artery from the contralateral common iliac artery was observed when angiography was performed to diagnose irregularities in perfusion of the lower extremities and to determine the necessity for vascular surgical intervention in a 66-year-old man. Conservative treatment was successful in this patient, who suffered from intermittent claudication because of an obstruction of the superficial femoral arteries. The diagnostic approach with angiography is considered to be essential for revealing such anomalies. Conventional vascular surgical reconstruction would have threatened the perfusion of the right kidney in this case.