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Nutcracker Syndrome, Vascular Imaging with Ultrasound - A Case Report

Svensson C*, Lassvik C and Zachrisson H

Nutcracker Syndrome (NCS) or Left Renal Vein (LRV) entrapment is rare and may be caused by compression of the vein between the aorta and the Superior Mesenteric Artery (SMA). LRV hypertension may lead to varicosities. The syndrome is characterized by a complex of symptoms with substantial variations, the diagnosis is difficult and therefore often delayed. The diagnosis may be settled by many imaging methods, such as renal angiography, retrograde phlebography, Computed Tomography (CT), Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) and Doppler Ultrasonography (DUS). The degree of stenosis may be detected measuring Doppler flow velocities by DUS.

A 50-year old female with Crohn´s disease treated by ileocecal resection performed 20 years ago, and symptomatic epilepsy treated by a vagal stimulator, had newly added symptoms of abdominal pain, weight loss, dizziness, irregular bowel movements, and increasing fatigue. Blood parameters and physical examination were normal. CT showed no signs of active Crohn´s disease. The left renal veins and the left ovarian vein were dilated and the aorto-mesenteric angle was only 22 degrees.

DUS (Siemens S2000, 6 and 9 MHz transducers) performed one month later confirmed the findings of the CT with typical findings of NCS. DUS will play a crucial role in Nutcracker syndrome considering flow velocity, diameter measurement, anatomy and aortomesenteric angle. DUS is a non-invasive, cheap modality that gives a very good resolution that can define vessel walls and evaluate flow velocity conditions. This patient had mild symptoms that led to a conservative treatment whereas epilepsy and Crohn ?s disease was the main problem. If severe symptoms occur different kinds of treatments are available, such as stenting of LRV, open surgical interventions, ablation of collateral pelvic veins and coil embolization.