Localized solitary left renal vein thrombus complicating nutcracker syndrome: a case report and review of the literature

CEN Case Rep. 2020 Aug;9(3):252-256. doi: 10.1007/s13730-020-00467-9. Epub 2020 Apr 3.

Abstract

Nutcracker syndrome (NCS) refers to compression of the left renal vein (LRV) between the abdominal aorta and the superior mesenteric artery (SMA). The clinical presentation of NCS includes hematuria, abdominal and left flank pain, gonadal varices, and varicocele formation. Theoretically, thrombosis can occur in the LRV in patients with NCS. However, an isolated solitary left renal vein thrombus (LRVT) complicating NCS is rare. In addition, the clinical features of an LRVT complicating NCS remain unclear. We describe a 43-year-old woman presenting with an asymptomatic LRVT complicating NCS. She was referred to our hospital for investigation of dysfunctional uterine bleeding, and detailed examination revealed endometrial cancer. Computed tomography angiography (CTA) and Doppler ultrasonography revealed compression of the LRV between the aorta and the SMA, as well as an LRVT. CTA performed 4 months after the administration of an anticoagulant showed complete disappearance of the LRVT. We have also included a review of published reports describing LRVT complicating NCS and discussed the clinical features of such a presentation.

Keywords: Case report; Left renal vein; Nutcracker syndrome; Renal vein thrombus; Review.

Publication types

  • Case Reports
  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Abdominal Pain / diagnosis
  • Abdominal Pain / etiology
  • Adult
  • Anticoagulants / therapeutic use
  • Aorta, Abdominal / diagnostic imaging
  • Aorta, Abdominal / physiopathology
  • Computed Tomography Angiography / methods
  • Endometrial Neoplasms / diagnosis
  • Endometrial Neoplasms / pathology*
  • Female
  • Flank Pain / diagnosis
  • Flank Pain / etiology
  • Gonadal Disorders / pathology
  • Hematuria / diagnosis
  • Hematuria / etiology
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Mesenteric Artery, Superior / diagnostic imaging
  • Mesenteric Artery, Superior / physiopathology
  • Metrorrhagia / etiology
  • Renal Nutcracker Syndrome / complications*
  • Renal Nutcracker Syndrome / diagnosis
  • Renal Nutcracker Syndrome / pathology*
  • Renal Veins / pathology
  • Thrombosis / complications*
  • Thrombosis / diagnosis
  • Thrombosis / drug therapy
  • Treatment Outcome
  • Ultrasonography, Doppler / methods
  • Varicocele / diagnosis
  • Varicocele / etiology
  • Varicose Veins / diagnosis
  • Varicose Veins / etiology

Substances

  • Anticoagulants