Rare anomaly of kidney development – L-shaped fusion

Within the framework of the publication, an L‑shaped fusion of the kidneys (horseshoe‑shaped) is considered, referring to the category of asymmetric fusion. The presented clinical case is an extremely rare form of congenital anomaly of renal fusion, demonstrating the difficulty of verifying the correct diagnosis. The article presents the results of a tomographic study, which, in addition to enlargement of the kidneys, recorded signs of dysplasia of the left ureter (stricture) and signs of an arterial vascular bed (aberrant artery of the upper part of the L‑shaped horseshoe).

Imaging findings for Atlanto-occipital assimilation with multiple cervical vertebral anomalies in a Beagle dog: A 2 year follow-up

A 3-year-old male Beagle dog was presented for a physical examination, which revealed a mild stiff neck that was affecting movement. The imaging modalities led to our diagnosis of an asymmetric fusion of the occipital condyle and atlas wing consistent with Atlanto-occipital assimilation (AOA). An incomplete ossification of the atlas and axis, dysplastic dens, and a blocked vertebra were also noted. During a two-year follow-up, the dog showed no other clinical signs or disease progression. To our knowledge, this is the first imaging description of AOA in veterinary medicine. We recommend a careful CT (computed tomography) and an MRI (magnetic resonance imaging) evaluation in cases of neck pain and cervical myelopathy, and inclusion of AOA among the differential diagnoses, with the awareness that its clinical signs resemble those of other canine diseases.