A horseshoe kidney is identified incidentally on CT in a young adult. The two kidneys are fused at their lower poles by an isthmus. Which statement regarding this anomaly is correct?

• A It results from failure of ascent with fusion of the upper poles
• B It carries a reduced lifetime requirement for stone surgery
• C The ureters always drain ectopically into the vagina or rectum
• D It is associated with Turner syndrome ✓

Explanation

Horseshoe kidney arises from midline fusion of the lower poles during embryogenesis as they ascend, and the isthmus is held up by the inferior mesenteric artery. It is strongly associated with Turner syndrome. Because the ureters pass anteriorly over the isthmus, impaired drainage predisposes to hydronephrosis, stones and infection, increasing rather than decreasing the need for intervention.

Reference: Robbins and Cotran Pathologic Basis of Disease, 10th ed.

High-yield for: NEET PGINI-CETNExTFMGEUSMLEPLABMRCP

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