Case Report - Case Reports in Surgery and Invasive Procedures (2017) Case Reports in Surgery and Invasive Procedures (Special Issue 3-2017)

Nutcracker syndrome: A rare and potentially under diagnosed cause of haematuria.

Kirby Sebro¹, Lester Goetz¹, Satyendra Persaud^2*

¹Division of Surgical Sciences, University of the West Indies, St Augustine, Trinidad and Tobago

²Department of Urology, San Fernando General Hospital, Trinidad and Tobago

*Corresponding Author:

Satyendra Persaud
Department of Urology San Fernando General Hospital San Fernando Trinidad and Tobago
Tel: 868-774-8761
E-mail: satyendrapersaud@yahoo.com

Accepted on November 22, 2017

Citation: Sebro K, Goetz L, Persaud S. Nutcracker syndrome: A rare and potentially under diagnosed cause of haematuria. Case Rep Surg Invasive Proced. 2017;1(3):4-6.

Abstract

The nutcracker phenomenon results from the partial occlusion of the distal segment of the left renal vein (LRV) as a result of compression of the LRV between the Abdominal Aorta (AA) and the Superior Mesenteric Artery (SMA). Despite modern imaging modalities, the diagnosis of nutcracker syndrome is difficult and requires a high index of suspicion. We describe the case of a 20-year-old female with haematuria, abdominal pain and weight loss. Her diagnosis was delayed but was eventually made on CT angiography after several months and after numerous consultations with several different specialties. Endovascular stenting was followed by complete resolution of symptoms.

Keywords

Nutcracker, Syndrome, Delayed, Haematuria

Introduction

The nutcracker phenomenon results from the partial obstruction of the distal segment of the LRV as it passes between the abdominal aorta and the superior mesenteric artery. The phenomenon is so named because of fact that in the sagittal view, the SMA and AA appear to be a nutcracker crushing a nut [1]. The nutcracker syndrome, first reported in 1950, is said to occur when the nutcracker phenomenon is accompanied by clinical symptoms including chronic abdominal pain and haematuria [1]. It is a rare and commonly overlooked condition. Despite modern imaging modalities, the diagnosis of nutcracker syndrome is difficult. We discuss a case of nutcracker syndrome with a significantly delayed diagnosis.

Case Presentation

An East Indian female, 20-year-old, presented to our unit with a two-year history of intermittent gross painless haematuria and constant, severe lower abdominal pain. The episodes were increasing in frequency. There was no association with menses. The abdominal pain was constant and severe. She also complained of chronic disabling fatigue.

Prior to her presentation, she had been thoroughly investigated and referred to numerous physicians including 3 general practitioners, 5 gynaecologists, several medical physicians, a psychiatrist, a nephrologist and a urologist. Physical examination revealed an underweight female patient (BMI 18). Blood pressure, pulse and temperature were all normal. On abdominal examination there was tenderness localized to the left iliac fossa but no peritonitis.

Urine microscopy confirmed haematuria and cytology revealed no evidence of malignancy. Her complete blood count showed a haemoglobin of 10 g/dl, and all of her other haematological and biochemical parameters including coagulation screen, renal function tests, sickle cell test, were normal. Abdominal X-ray, ultrasound scans and non-contrast CT were normal. She had previously undergone flexible cystoscopy which was reported as normal.

At repeat cystoscopy in our unit, an efflux of blood was noted from the left ureteric orifice. Subsequent CT angiogram (Figure 1) demonstrated partial occlusion of the distal segment of the left renal vein which was compressed between abdominal aorta and the superior mesenteric artery in addition to distended gonadal and lumbar veins. Taken together, these features suggested a diagnosis of nutcracker syndrome.

Figure 1: Computed tomography scan (axial view) demonstrating compression of the left renal vein (red arrow) between the aorta and the superior mesenteric artery.

Having been counselled extensively on open, laparoscopic and endovascular surgical options the patient underwent endovascular stenting following which her abdominal pain and haematuria resolved completely. Figure 2 demonstrates her stent within a now patent renal vein. At 6 months follow up the patient remained symptom free.

Figure 2: Coronal sections showing stent in the now patent left renal vein.

Discussion

The term nutcracker syndrome is reserved for patients with both clinical and radiological nutcracker features [2]. The prevalence of nutcracker syndrome is unknown [1] and while not an inherited condition, cases in siblings have been reported [3].

Symptoms vary widely and are often exacerbated by physical activity. These include hematuria, chronic pelvic pain, varicoceles, orthostatic proteinuria and orthostatic intolerance and fatigue [4,5]. Among 51 patients presenting with pelvic congestion, nutcracker syndrome was diagnosed in 9 [6]. Hematuria, both microscopic and gross, occurs as a result of rupture of thin-walled varices into the collecting system. These varices occur as a result of elevated venous pressure [7,8]. Patients with lower body mass index may be at particular risk for nutcracker syndrome as a decrease in retroperitoneal fat is thought to reduce the aorto-mesenteric angle [9].

Cystoscopy may identify haematuria ejecting from the left ureteric orifice [10]. It is important to note that observing the left ureteric orifice for as long as a minute may be necessary to identify this.

The diagnosis of nutcracker syndrome is difficult to establish with routine diagnostic methods [11]. Renal angiography may demonstrate delayed venous washout from the left kidney. While intravenous urography and retrograde pyelography are often normal, these may demonstrate notches from large varicosities of the renal pelvis [12,13]. Doppler Ultrasonography (DUS) is useful with a sensitivity of 50% to 78% and specificity approaching 100% [14,15]. While our patient did undergo ultrasound scans, flow characteristics within the renal vein were not noted and should serve as a learning point for future cases. CT angiography and magnetic resonance angiography both have excellent diagnostic yield and may demonstrate development of collateral veins [16,17]. The diagnosis of nutcracker syndrome is established using retrograde phlebography and videoangiography and a reno-caval pressure gradient of >3 mmHg establishes the diagnosis [7,17]. Of note, this test was not available at our institution.

The management of patients with nutcracker syndrome must be individualized. Patients intermittent hematuria, insignificant pain and normal haemoglobin may be offered surveillance [18]. Given the good chance of spontaneous improvement with physical development, the conservative approach is appropriate in cases of pubertal patients [18].

Open surgical options include transposition of the LRV or SMA, gonado-caval bypass and renal auto-transplantation [17]. While transposition of the renal vein and auto-transplantation have been linked with good outcomes, SMA transposition and gonado-caval bypass have been associated with higher postoperative complication rate and have sfallen out of favour [6].

Initially reported in 1988, extra-vascular stent utilizing a reinforced PTFE graft is now done laparoscopically [19]. Intravascular stenting with expandable metallic stents is performed under local anesthesia utilizing digital subtraction angiography (DSA) [20]. Contemporary publications have also described good outcomes with endovascular stenting [21]. We opted for the endovascular approach as it is was the least invasive option and is of proven efficacy in addition to the fact that our patient was opposed to the idea of surgical intervention. Although endovascular stenting is an attractive option, it is not without complications. Venous stents may lead to fibromuscular hyperplasia, embolization and proximal migration which may be fatal [20].

Conclusion

Nutcracker syndrome is a rare diagnosis and may manifest in unusual ways. A high index of suspicion is required so that appropriate imaging may be requested. Conservative, open and endovascular options exist for treatment, however patient treatment must be individualized.

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