Doppler US and CT Diagnosis of Nutcracker Syndrome
- Author:
Seung Hyup KIM
1
Author Information
- Publication Type:Review
- Keywords: Nutcracker syndrome; Left renal vein; Renal vein hypertension; Doppler US; Contrast-enhanced CT
- MeSH: Aorta, Abdominal; Diagnosis; Hematuria; Hypertension; Mesenteric Artery, Superior; Renal Veins; Tomography, X-Ray Computed; Ultrasonography, Doppler
- From:Korean Journal of Radiology 2019;20(12):1627-1637
- CountryRepublic of Korea
- Language:English
- Abstract: Nutcracker syndrome (NCS) is a syndrome caused by compression of the left renal vein (LRV), between the abdominal aorta and the superior mesenteric artery, resulting in hypertension of the LRV and hematuria. Doppler ultrasonography (US) has been commonly used for the diagnosis of NCS. However, several technical issues, such as Doppler angle and sample volume, need to be considered to obtain satisfactory results. In addition, morphologic changes of the LRV and a jetting phenomenon across the aortomesenteric portion of the LRV on contrast-enhanced computed tomography (CECT) are diagnostic clues of NCS. With proper Doppler US and CECT, NCS can be diagnosed noninvasively.
