Retroaortic Left Renal Vein Disclosed by Digital Subtraction Angiography

Retroaortic left renal vein is a relatively uncommon venous anomaly. Its clinical impor-tance is unclear, but diagnostic and surgically hazardous implications make it a condition that must be kept in mind. Computed tomography (CT) scanning has been largely advocated as the most accurate imaging method in assessing this anomaly. Digital subtraction angiography (DSA) is not usually reported as detecting retroaortic left renal veins. The authors report a case in which a retroaortic left renal vein could be detected both by CT scan and by DSA, a finding that could be confirmed intraoperatively during aortic aneurysm surgery. Most of the relevant literature is briefly commented on and reviewed