Living with Renal nutcracker syndrome
A condition in which the vein from the left kidney is squeezed, sometimes causing blood in the urine and flank pain.
Understanding Renal nutcracker syndrome
Some people have no symptoms, while others have severe and ongoing ones. In children, mild cases may be due to changes in body proportions with growth. GARD says it is less clear why it occurs or causes symptoms in adults. GARD lists onset in adulthood.
Signs & symptoms
Symptoms vary from person to person. GARD lists these among the most common:
- Blood in the urine (hematuria)
- Flank pain
- Low back pain
- Abdominal pain
- Protein in the urine when standing (orthostatic proteinuria)
- Varicose veins or varicocele
Not everyone has every symptom. GARD's list comes from the Human Phenotype Ontology.
Diagnosis
- 1Talk with your doctor
Share the symptoms you've noticed, when they started and your family health history. Notes and photos can help.
- 2See a specialist
Specialists who may be involved include genetic specialists and kidney specialists.
- 3Ask which tests can help
Your care team will decide which exams and tests can confirm the diagnosis.
Care & treatment
- Care team
- Genetic specialists (geneticists); Kidney specialists (nephrologists)
- Expert care
- Ask about multidisciplinary care centers for rare conditions
- Treatment
- GARD doesn't list specific treatments for this condition. Your care team will tailor care to your symptoms.
- Research
- Clinical trials and observational studies may be options. See the research section below.
General information, not medical advice. Your care team makes the decisions.
Everyday life
Living with a rare condition is easier with support.
- Connect with National Kidney Foundation and other patient organizations
- Keep notes on symptoms, changes and questions for appointments
- Ask about patient registries that help research
- Look into financial aid and travel resources for care visits
Quick facts
The left renal vein becomes compressed. GARD says it is less clear why this occurs or causes symptoms in adults, and that in children it may relate to changes in body proportions with growth.
Also known as: left renal vein (lrv) entrapment syndrome; left renal vein entrapment syndrome; mesoaortic compression of left renal vein; ncs - nutcracker syndrome; rns
Patient organizations
- National Kidney FoundationKidney diseases · United States
- Renal Support NetworkKidney diseases · United States
You are more than your diagnosis
Perspectives from people navigating life with Renal nutcracker syndrome.
Explore research for Renal nutcracker syndrome
Explore actively recruiting Renal nutcracker syndrome studies with HealthSpark.
Find actively recruiting studies for Renal nutcracker syndrome with HealthSpark. Share your city to explore research near you.
- Recruiting studies from ClinicalTrials.gov
- Share your city to look for research near you
- Eligibility is confirmed by the study team
Powered by HealthSpark, our AI chat helper
I can help you find recruiting Renal nutcracker syndrome studies. Enter a ZIP code, address or city below and I'll look within 50 miles.
Powered by HealthSpark, our AI chat helper · Study information from ClinicalTrials.gov · Eligibility is confirmed by the study team.
Get Signals for Renal nutcracker syndrome
Stay in the loop with community stories and updates from medical researchers.
Create a living journal that talks back
HealthStory evolves private journaling with a living AI journal that talks back and asks thoughtful questions, helping you capture your Renal nutcracker syndrome experiences more deeply and prepare for better conversations with your doctors and care team.
Your journal is private. Sharing your story publicly is a separate choice, made with Share your story above.