Left renal venous hypertension “nutcracker” syndrome: Managed by Direct Renocaval Reimplantation

Abstract

Since 1978 a diagnosis of left renal venous hypertension has been established in 3 patients. All 3 had otherwise unexplained left flank and abdominal pain, 2 had left renal gross hematuria, and 2 were found to have ureteral and peripelvic varices demonstrated by selective renal venography. All were found to have mild to moderate pressure gradients between the left renal vein and vena cava, presumably due to compression of the left renal vein between the aorta and overlying superior mesenteric artery. Direct left renocaval reimplantation was performed in all cases, with resection of the collateral varices that were present in 2 cases. Severe unrelenting pain was the primary indication for surgery in all cases, rather than hematuria. All remain asymptomatic one to four years after surgery.