Horseshoe adrenal gland associated with spinal and vascular anomalies

Surg Radiol Anat. 2020 Apr;42(4):483-485. doi: 10.1007/s00276-019-02366-w. Epub 2019 Nov 4.

Abstract

Horseshoe (or butterfly) adrenal gland (HAG) is an exceedingly rare congenital abnormality compared to horseshoe kidney. Here we present computed tomography findings of HAG in a 70-year-old man, associated with some spinal and vascular abnormalities; in addition, a brief review of HAG in adult people is presented. In our case, spinal anomalies included a severe scoliosis, a "butterfly" deformation of Th9 vertebra and the presence of a "split lumbosacral thecal sac" at L5 level. As regards, vascular anomalies, they were noted: the origin of the left common carotid artery from the innominate artery and the absence of celiac trunk with separate origin of three branches directly off the aorta (a splenic artery, a left gastrohepatic trunk and a right hepatic-pancreaticoduodenal artery).

Keywords: Adrenal gland; Anatomy; Computed tomography; Spine; Vascular anatomy.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Adrenal Glands / abnormalities*
  • Adrenal Glands / diagnostic imaging
  • Aged
  • Aorta / abnormalities*
  • Aorta / diagnostic imaging
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Scoliosis / diagnostic imaging
  • Scoliosis / etiology*
  • Thoracic Vertebrae / abnormalities*
  • Thoracic Vertebrae / diagnostic imaging
  • Tomography, X-Ray Computed