Pelvic Kidneys
Pelvic kidneys result from the complete failure of ascension of the kidneys from their initial embryologic location anterior to the sacrum. Although most patients with pelvic kidneys are asymptomatic, some may have pain due to stones or hydronephrosis. The anatomic location of a pelvic kidney may make treatment of such pathologies difficult. Several approaches to treatment of pelvic kidney stones have been used, including shock-wave lithotripsy, ureteroscopy, percutaneous nephrolithotomy, and laparoscopic pyelolithotomy. Treatment of ureteropelvic junction obstructions in a pelvic kidney primarily consists of a laparoscopic/robotic pyeloplasty, as this can often be performed in conjunction with a pyelolithotomy in the case of a concurrent obstruction and stone formation. Nephrolithiasis in transplant kidneys can be treated with ureteroscopy or image-guided percutaneous nephrolithotomy.
