Nutcracker Syndrome: a Rare Cause of Hematuria

Abstract

In pediatrics, hematuria usually responds to benign etiologies. A rare cause is nutcracker syndrome, defined as compression of the left renal vein between the aorta and the superior mesenteric artery, resulting in elevated pressure in the left renal vein with the development of collateral veins and varicose dilatation. The prevalence of this syndrome is unknown. When symptomatic, it causes hematuria, proteinuria, and chronic pelvic pain. At puberty, the rapid growth and development of the vertebral bodies can produce a narrowing of the angle between the aorta and the superior mesenteric artery. We describe the case of a teenage girl diagnosed with multiple metastatic mucoepithelial carcinoma of bone who presented anemia-producing hematuria. The diagnosis of nutcracker syndrome was arrived at with consideration of the therapeutic options. Finally, with shoe enhancement for scoliosis correction, hematuria was significantly lessened.

Keywords

• hematuria
• nutcracker syndrome