Nutcracker syndrome accompanying pelvic congestion syndrome; color doppler sonography and multislice CT findings: A case report


Creative Commons License

Inal M., KARADENİZ BİLGİLİ M. Y., Sahin S.

Iranian Journal of Radiology, vol.11, no.2, 2014 (SCI-Expanded) identifier identifier identifier

  • Publication Type: Article / Article
  • Volume: 11 Issue: 2
  • Publication Date: 2014
  • Doi Number: 10.5812/iranjradiol.11075
  • Journal Name: Iranian Journal of Radiology
  • Journal Indexes: Science Citation Index Expanded (SCI-EXPANDED), Scopus
  • Keywords: Hematuria, Renal Nutcracker Syndrome, Flank Pain
  • Lokman Hekim University Affiliated: No

Abstract

Nutcracker syndrome (NCS) is a rare pathology, caused by compression of the left renal vein (LRV) between the abdominal aorta (AA) and the superior mesenteric artery (SMA), due to reduction of the angle between AA and SMA. This leads to LRV varices, left gonadal vein varices and therefore, the pelvic congestion syndrome. For this reason, coexistence of NCS and pelvic congestion syndrome has been described. It manifests by hematuria, proteinuria, and nonspecific pelvic pain secondary to pelvic congestion, dyspareunia and persistent genital arousal. We report a 27-year-old woman who experienced hematuria and left flank pain. The diagnosis of NCS accompanied by pelvic congestion syndrome was missed initially, but later on the diagnosis was made by color Doppler ultrasound, abdominal computed tomography (CT) and CT angiography that were later performed. She refused interventional and surgical treatments, and was lost to follow up.