Renal nutcracker syndrome

Disease Overview

Renal nutcracker syndrome (NCS) is a condition that occurs when the left renal vein (the vein that carries blood purified by the left kidney) becomes compressed. Signs and symptoms can vary from person to person. Some people may not have symptoms, while others develop severe and persistent symptoms. Symptoms may include blood in the urine (hematuria), orthostatic proteinuria, flank pain and/or abdominal pain. Some cases of mild NCS in children may be due to changes in body proportions associated with growth. It is less clear why NCS occurs or causes symptoms in adults. Treatment ranges from surveillance (in less severe cases) to various types of surgery. The surgical technique depends upon each person’s anatomy and how likely it is to relieve symptoms.[9522][9523][13520]

Synonyms

• Nutcracker syndrome
• Left renal vein entrapment syndrome
• RNS