Horseshoe kidney in choledocholithiasis patient, anticipating ERCP failure: A mini-review

Abstract

Deepika Aggarwal* and Vimal Jain

Horseshoe kidney is the most common fusion defect of the kidney. It is seen in one in five hundred of the general population, with a male preponderance. It is usually asymptomatic and is often an incidental finding. However, due to their location and proximity to other structures such as the duodenum, CBD, and large intestine, horseshoe kidney can alter their course and pose a difficulty in diagnosis and management of their diseases.

In this mini-review, we are presenting and discussing a previous case of horseshoe kidney leading to ERCP failure, including a mini-review of the literature. The ideal management for a patient of cholelithiasis with choledocholithiasis is usually pre or post-operative ERCP plus laparoscopic cholecystectomy. However, for such patients with co-existing horseshoe kidney, can ERCP failure be anticipated? For such patients, the choice of procedure becomes Laparoscopic cholecystectomy with lap CBD exploration.