Accessory renal artery

Accessory renal arteries are a common variant and are present in ~25% (range 20-30%) and are bilateral in ~10% of the population . Their proper identification is of utmost importance for surgical planning prior to live donor transplantation and renal artery embolization for various reasons .

The term extra renal artery may be used , with a subclassification into:

  • aberrant renal artery: supplying the superior and/or inferior pole of the kidney
  • accessory renal artery: supplying the renal hilum

Accessory renal arteries occur bilaterally in 10-15% of cases:

  • single renal artery arising from the abdominal aorta: 70%
  • double renal arteries: ~20% (range 14-23%)
  • triple renal arteries: ~2.5% (range 1-4%)
  • quadruple renal arteries: <1%

Most commonly accessory renal arteries arise from the abdominal aorta and supply the inferior pole of the kidney, although rarely they can arise from:

History and etymology

The first recorded case of multiple renal arteries was described by Eustachius in 1552 .