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Supernumerary Kidney

Definition of a Supernumerary Kidney

A supernumerary kidney is a rare additional kidney with renal function, separate blood supply, organ capsule, and pyelocalyceal system. Next to the supernumerary kidney, there are two normal kidneys. The supernumerary kidney shares the ureter and ostium of the normal ipsilateral kidney in 50%.

Epidemiology

Rare, in the literature exist 80 case reports (Bernik et al., 2001).

Sign and Symptoms

There are no other associated anomalies. The supernumerary kidney may cause abdominal pain, fever, tumor, or arterial hypertension.

Treatment of a Supernumerary Kidney

Treatment depends on symptoms, often nephrectomy of the supernumerary kidney.

References