Gerota's fascia over a pelvic ectopic kidney: Myth or reality?

OBJECTIVE: To prospectively evaluate for the presence or absence of Gerota's fascia in a pelvic ectopic kidney, as this is not well documented. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Between January 2007 and July 2011, all patients with normal renal functions presenting to the Urology Clinic with pelvic ectopic kidney were evaluated for the presence of fascia similar to Gerota's fascia. Specific evaluation included a contrast-enhanced computed tomography (CT) scan and open surgery where indicated. A literature search using PubMed was also done for the period between 1990 and May 2011 using the terms ‘Gerota's fascia’, ‘perirenal fascia,’ and ‘pelvic kidney’. RESULTS: Eleven patients were evaluated. The mean age was 28.6 years (range 7 to 50). The presentation included stone disease in six, pelvi-ureteric obstruction in three, and as part of the evaluation for other causes of lower abdominal pain, it was found in two. A CT scan performed on eight patients did not show any evidence of fascia, while surgical exploration done on seven showed a well-defined fascial layer, at least on the ventral aspect of the kidney. A literature search also did not show any information about Gerota's fascia in the pelvic kidney. CONCLUSION: Further anatomical / radiological studies are needed to definitively document the presence of Gerota's fascia around a pelvic kidney. Our data is more in favor of the presence of such a perirenal fascia similar to Gerota's fascia.