P. Manik

VARIATION IN BRANCH FREE LENGTH OF RENAL ARTERY AND ITS CLINICAL SIGNIFICANS: A 64-SLICE CT ANGIOGRAPHIC MORPHOMETRIC STUDY

Address for Correspondence: Anshu Mishra, Associate Professor, Department of Anatomy, IIMS & R, Kursi Road, Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh, India. E-Mail: mishra.anshu685@gmail.com Background: Length of renal artery is an important morphological parameter while performing surgeries in renal area. The present study was conducted to evaluate variations in length of renal artery. Materials and Methods: The study was conducted in the department of anatomy and department of radiology of King George’s Medical University, Lucknow. 53 subjects (106 renal arteries), undergoing 64-slice CT angiography for different indications were included in the study group. The angiographic images of all the subjects in abdominal region were analyzed for renal arteries and their length was measured utilizing computerized tools. Results: The length of main renal artery varied from 8.5mm to 54.8mm on the right side. On the left side minimum length was 7.7mm and maximum length was 48.8mm. The average length of renal artery was 30.5±10.4 mm on the right side and 26.91±10.0 mm on the left side. There was great variation in the length of renal artery due to variation in site of ramification. Conclusion: The variation of renal artery length is critically important for maintaining vascularity of kidney after surgery.