• Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Skip to footer
Call Us (508) 587-0700
  • Patient Forms
  • Request an Appointment
Associates in Nephrology, PC
  • Home
  • Offices
    • Brockton, MA
    • Taunton, MA
  • Kidney Centers
    • Brockton Regional Kidney Center
    • Brockton Dialysis Center
    • Taunton Regional Dialysis Center
  • Our Providers
    • Dr. Allan Lauer
    • Dr. Daniel Bohl
    • Dr. Ian Wu
  • Conditions
    • Chronic Kidney Disease
    • Hypertension
    • Electrolyte Disorders
    • Kidney Stones
    • Glomerulonephritis
    • End-Stage Kidney Disease
    • Kidney Transplant
    • Renal Failure
  • Contact Us

What is an Ectopic Kidney?

February 12, 2020

doctor's hands holding holograms of kidneys in each

We’re born with two kidneys, a pair of bean-shaped organs that balance the amount of electrolytes such as sodium, potassium, calcium, and phosphate within our bodies. The multi-functioning kidneys also filter out waste from urine, as well as regulate our blood pressure and red blood cells.

The kidneys attach to the bladder, which is connected to the urethra through which urine is emptied. Stationed in the middle of the back and below the ribs, each kidney straddles the spine. That’s the normal placement of our kidneys. However, according to the Urology Care Foundation, about one out of 900 people are born with a kidney in an abnormal location due to a congenital abnormality developed in the womb. These people have what is known as an ectopic kidney, or renal ectopia.

The Different Types of Ectopic Kidneys

Renal ectopia is divided into two types. A simple renal ectopia is marked by a kidney sitting on each side of the spine, but above or below its normal placement. The other type is a crossed renal ectopia, which occurs when both kidneys develop on the same side of the spine. Crossed renal ectopic kidneys sometimes fuse together.

The condition doesn’t cause any health problems or symptoms if one or both kidneys function properly. In fact, most people don’t know they have an ectopic kidney until it’s detected by medical tests for another disorder.

Yet some people experience pronounced symptoms stemming from renal ectopia that could produce a urinary tract infection; pain and/or a lump in the abdomen; bloody urine; frequent urination; or a burning sensation when you urinate.

To determine whether you have an ectopic kidney, a doctor will order a series of imaging tests such as an ultrasound and MRI. Other tests specific to urinary tract disorders include voiding cystourethrograms, an exam that uses X-rays to picture urine flow through the bladder and urethra, or a radionuclide scan that can pinpoint the location of the ectopic kidney and whether there are any blockages in the urinary system.

In some cases, urine cannot drain through the urinary system due to an ectopic kidney, leading to a condition called vesicoureteral reflux (VUR). This back-up of urine in the kidneys may damage the organs, resulting in infections and possibly kidney disease if not treated. Slow-draining urine could also cause a build-up of calcium and oxalate in the kidneys, which eventually develop into painful kidney stones.

Because ectopic kidneys rarely produce symptoms, treatment is only needed when health issues like a urinary tract infection arise. In those instances, your doctor will investigate further and suggest treatments. For example, a blockage in the urinary tract can be extracted to ensure a better flow of urine and prevent infections and VUR.

If one ectopic kidney is found to be badly scarred or not working as it should, your doctor may recommend removing the kidney as long as the other kidney is healthy. (You can live with one fully functioning kidney.) Surgery can also move the kidney to its correct position.

Caring for Your Kidneys

The team of physicians at Associates in Nephrology specialize in the treatment of kidneys. Your renal health is vitally important to your overall well-being, so anytime you experience symptoms that could indicate a kidney disorder, visit us and we can diagnose your condition and prescribe treatment options. Contact us for an appointment today.

Filed Under: Kidney Health Tagged With: ectopic kidney

Primary Sidebar

February 2020
M T W T F S S
 12
3456789
10111213141516
17181920212223
242526272829  
« Jan   Mar »

Categories

  • General
  • Kidney Health
  • Renal Failure

Tags

artificial kidneys Best food for kidney Chronic Kidney Disease Treatment in Southeastern Massachusetts Chronic Kidney Disease Treatment Near Me Chronic Kidney Disease Treatment Near You citric acid coronavirus covid-19 ectopic kidney exercise hypertension kidney disease Kidney Disease treatment in SE Massachusetts Kidney disease treatment near me Kidney Disease treatment near you Kidney Disorders in Southeastern Massachusetts Kidney Disorders treatment near me Kidney Disorders treatment near you Kidney disorder treatment in Southeastern Massachusetts Kidney doctor near me Kidney Failure Treatment in SE Massachusetts Kidney Failure treatment in Southeastern Massachusetts Kidney Failure Treatment Near Me Kidney Failure treatment near you Kidney specialist in SE Massachusetts kidney specialist near me Kidney Specialist Near You Kidney Specialists in Southeastern Massachusetts Kidney Specialists Near Me Kidney Specialists Near You kidney stones Kidney stones treatment IN Brockton MA Kidney stones treatment in Taunton MA Kidney stones treatment near Me Kidney stones treatment near you nephrologist near me nephrologist near you nephrotic syndrome pregnancy Treatment for Kidney Stones Treatment for Kidney Stones in Greater Boston Treatment for Kidney Stones in Southeastern Massachusetts Treatment for Kidney Stones Near Me Treatment for Kidney Stones Near You worst food for kidney

Footer

  • Request an Appointment

    REQUEST AN APPOINTMENT

    Can’t call us right now? Submit an online request instead.

    Learn More
  • PATIENT EDUCATION

    PATIENT EDUCATION

    Discover more in our interactive patient library.

    Learn More
  • OUR BLOG

    OUR BLOG

    Get helpful tips & the latest news on kidney care.

    Learn More
  • Home
  • Offices
  • Kidney Centers
  • Our Providers
  • Conditions
  • Contact Us
  • Request an Appointment
  • Accessibility Statement
  • HIPAA Privacy Policy
  • Sitemap
Copyright © · Associates in Nephrology, PC · All Rights Reserved
iHealthspot Medical Website Design and Medical Marketing by iHealthSpot.com

Our kidney care specialists at Associates in Nephrology specialized training and experience needed to diagnose and treat kidney conditions such as Chronic Kidney Disease, Electrolyte Disorders, End-Stage Kidney Disease, Glomerulonephritis, Hypertension, Kidney Stones, Kidney Transplant, and Renal Failure. Contact us at (508) 587-0700 or request an appointment online to visit our kidney centers.