Background: Horseshoe kidney (HSK) is a common renal fusion anomaly. We undertook this study to discuss various anomalies associated with HSKs. The objective of the study is to study various anomalies associated with HSKs and to assess the need for surgical intervention in patients with these anomalies.
Patients and methods: This is a retrospective cohort study of twenty patients who presented to our institute with the diagnosis of HSKs. The data were analysed with regard to age at presentation, symptoms, associated anomalies, investigations and surgical intervention.
Results: Twenty patients were included in this study. They were referred either with a diagnosis of HSK or were diagnosed during investigations for symptoms and during workup for associated anomalies. Eleven patients were incidentally diagnosed and were asymptomatic, and there were no associated anomalies diagnosed in these patients. Nine patients were symptomatic and were diagnosed with various associated anomalies. Our results concur with recent literature review which suggests that nearly half of the patients with HSKs have associated anomalies. In the present series, all symptomatic patients with associated anomalies required surgical intervention.
Conclusion: HSKs being a common fusion anomaly, necessitates a prompt and thorough search of the search for any associated anomalies. Many of these anomalies may require surgical intervention.
Keywords: Horseshoe kidney; hydronephrosis; pelviureteric junction obstruction; urinary tract infections; urological anomalies.