Arched left gonadal artery over the left renal vein associated with double left renal artery

Ranade AV, Rai R, Prahbu LV, Mangala K, Nayak SR
Correspondence: Dr Anu V Ranade, anuranade@gmail.com

ABSTRACT
Variations in the anatomical relationship of the gonadal arteries to the renal vessels are frequently reported. We present, on a male cadaver, an unusual origin and course of a left testicular artery arching over the left renal vein along with double renal arteries. The development of this anomaly is discussed in detail. Compression of the left renal vein between the abdominal aorta and the superior mesenteric artery usually induces left renal vein hypertension, resulting in varicocele. We propose that the arching of left testicular artery over the left renal vein could be an additional possible cause of the left renal vein compression. Therefore, knowledge of the possible existence of arching gonadal vessels in relation to the renal vein could be of paramount importance to vascular surgeons and urologists during surgery in the retroperitoneal region.

Keywords: anomalous gonadal vessels, arched left gonadal artery, gonadal artery variations, gonadal artery development, left testicular artery, varicocoele
Singapore Med J 2007; 48(12): e332–e334