Summary
Introduction
Nutcracker syndrome (NS) defines an entity generated by the compression of the left
renal vein resulting in venous hypertension, which transmitted in a retrograde direction
may cause hematuria, proteinuria, and varicocele. The literature concerning exclusively
pediatric patients is very rare.
Objective
To report the authors' experience with pediatric NS in the last 18 years.
Study design
This is a retrospective review of the patients followed up in the authors' center
with diagnosis of NS based on clinical and imaging tests (ultrasound, computed tomography/magnetic
resonance imaging, and phlebography). The primary outcome was the success of the conservative
approach in the study patients.
Results and Discussion
A total of 21 patients were diagnosed with NS and followed up for a mean period of
52.3 months (37.1–67.5). The mean age at diagnosis was 11.7 years (9.9–13.4). The
most frequent symptom of presentation was hematuria in 16 patients (76.2%), being
macroscopic in 75% patients and related to physical exercise in 42.9% patients. Other
symptoms were left varicocele in 7 patients (33%) and proteinuria in 6 patients (28.6%).
Mild to moderate cases received conservative treatment (change of physical activity,
postural hygiene), which achieved resolution of symptoms in 16 patients (76.2%). Five
cases (23.8%) finally needed a more aggressive approach. Two (9.5%) of them required
endovascular procedures (intravascular stent in the renal vein in 1 case and embolization
of the spermatic vein in 1 case); in one (4.8%) of the patients, transposition of
the left renal vein and kidney autotransplantation were performed, and 2 (9.5%) of
the patients with mild cases required surgical correction of the varicocele.
Conclusions
Graphical Abstract
Keywords
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Article info
Publication history
Published online: December 07, 2019
Accepted:
December 2,
2019
Received:
December 10,
2018
Identification
Copyright
© 2019 Journal of Pediatric Urology Company. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.
