Let’s unravel the association between renal stones and renal variant vasculature in patients with duplex collecting system: A retrospective single institute study

Abstract

Background: Our study aims to explore the association of duplex collecting systems with variable renal vasculature and renal calculi, given the paucity of published data on the subject.

Methodology: Between 2020 and 2023, retrospective research on patients with a duplex collecting system detected by CT scans was conducted at the radiology department of Shifa International Hospital. We assessed any gender bias and ascertained the frequency of this unilateral or bilateral duplex system abnormality. Furthermore, in patients who had received post-contrast imaging, the prevalence of renal calculi and varied renal vasculature was evaluated. In individuals with a duplex collecting system, the correlation between renal stones and renal variant vasculature was computed. SPSS version 25 was used to conduct the chi-square test.

Results: We retrospectively gathered data on patients with duplex collecting systems that showed only 65 patients. According to our research, bilateral participation is uncommon but the duplex collecting system is not side-specific. According to our statistics, this aberration has been more common in men as compared to women. Only 36 of the 65 patients in total had post-contrast imaging to check for variances in the vasculature. Of the 36 patients with renal vein variations, 11 had renal vein variations and 25 did not have any anatomical variations. Of the 25 individuals who did not have a renal vein variation, 19 did not have calculus, 2 had calculus involving the lower pole, and 4 had calculus involving the upper pole. 8 individuals with renal variations did not have renal calculus, 2 patients had lower pole calculus, and 1 patient had upper pole calculus. A negative uncertainty coefficient was seen between renal vein vasculature and calculus formation. 17 of the 36 patients had renal artery variations, whereas 19 patients had no anatomic variation of the renal artery. 12 of the 19 individuals without a renal artery variation had no calculus, 2 had calculus involving the lower pole, and 5 had calculus involving the upper pole. 2 individuals had calculus affecting the lower pole, 0 patients had calculus on the upper pole, and 15 patients with renal artery variations had no renal calculus. A positive uncertainty coefficient was seen between renal arterial vasculature and calculus formation.

Conclusion: Understanding renal vasculature patterns is vital for effective vascular interventions as well as kidney transplantations. Patients with a duplex collecting system are at increased risk of stasis, infections, and stone formation. For urologists and nephrologists, awareness of the association with variant renal vasculature is critical for managing complications related to this anomaly.