A retroaortic left renal vein associated with a partially bifid left ureter - case report

During routine dissection of the retroperitoneal region in our Department, we observed rare variation as a retro-aortic left renal vein associated with a partially bifid left ureter in a 56 year old female. The left renal vein, after receiving its tributaries, the left ovarian and the left suprarenal veins, acquired an oblique course to the level of the intervertebral disc between L3-L4, and then, instead of passing anterior, the left renal vein traversed posterior to the aorta to finally drain into the inferior vena cava. On the same side, the ureter was partially bifid, uniting one cm above the pelvic brim to drain normally into the bladder.