A unique case report of wilkie syndrome in a middle-aged female with posterior nutcracker syndrome

Abstract Nutcracker syndrome and Wilkie syndrome are rare and often diagnosed incidentally during imaging investigations for other conditions and, on occasion, together. In this paper, we present the case of a 36-year-old patient with quasi-permanent symptoms including epigastralgia, loss of appetit...

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Main Authors: Roxana Elena Mirică, Bogdan Apan
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: BMC 2025-02-01
Series:BMC Nephrology
Subjects:
Online Access:https://doi.org/10.1186/s12882-025-04003-8
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author Roxana Elena Mirică
Bogdan Apan
author_facet Roxana Elena Mirică
Bogdan Apan
author_sort Roxana Elena Mirică
collection DOAJ
description Abstract Nutcracker syndrome and Wilkie syndrome are rare and often diagnosed incidentally during imaging investigations for other conditions and, on occasion, together. In this paper, we present the case of a 36-year-old patient with quasi-permanent symptoms including epigastralgia, loss of appetite, early satiety, left lumbar colic pain, normal stool and dysuria. The clinical examination revealed a non-distended abdomen, sensitivity to palpation in the epigastrium and hypogastrium regions, frequent urination in small amounts, and a body mass index (BMI) of 15 kg/m2, indicating severe protein calorie malnutrition. Laboratory tests indicated persistent microscopic hematuria without proteinuria with repeated urinary infections. Abdominal-pelvic ultrasound with Doppler revealed a left renal vein dilated up to 10 mm in the left paraaortic region (Nutcracker syndrome) and distal duodenal obstruction with distension in the same region, which was also confirmed by gastroduodenoscopy (Wilkie syndrome). Abdominal‒pelvic computed tomography angiography revealed a malformed and dilated left renal vein that was compressed as a result of aorto-mesenteric obstruction and communicating with an aberrant left paravertebral and paraspinal network extending to L1 and L5 and thrombosis of the left ovarian vein. The patient benefitted from conservative treatment, which intended to correct the malabsorption syndrome with the help of a nutritionist, who suggested a personalized diet to help gain weight. As a result, the patient was able to avoid surgical treatment. The case is peculiar in that the patient presented with a very rare form of Nutcracker syndrome (posterior type) associated with another rare syndrome, Wilkie syndrome.
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spelling doaj-art-0ef4f8976d814d0c8220224bb4be0cd52025-08-20T02:12:58ZengBMCBMC Nephrology1471-23692025-02-012611610.1186/s12882-025-04003-8A unique case report of wilkie syndrome in a middle-aged female with posterior nutcracker syndromeRoxana Elena Mirică0Bogdan Apan1Faculty of Medicine, “Carol Davila” University of Medicine and PharmacySocial Insurance Medicine OfficeAbstract Nutcracker syndrome and Wilkie syndrome are rare and often diagnosed incidentally during imaging investigations for other conditions and, on occasion, together. In this paper, we present the case of a 36-year-old patient with quasi-permanent symptoms including epigastralgia, loss of appetite, early satiety, left lumbar colic pain, normal stool and dysuria. The clinical examination revealed a non-distended abdomen, sensitivity to palpation in the epigastrium and hypogastrium regions, frequent urination in small amounts, and a body mass index (BMI) of 15 kg/m2, indicating severe protein calorie malnutrition. Laboratory tests indicated persistent microscopic hematuria without proteinuria with repeated urinary infections. Abdominal-pelvic ultrasound with Doppler revealed a left renal vein dilated up to 10 mm in the left paraaortic region (Nutcracker syndrome) and distal duodenal obstruction with distension in the same region, which was also confirmed by gastroduodenoscopy (Wilkie syndrome). Abdominal‒pelvic computed tomography angiography revealed a malformed and dilated left renal vein that was compressed as a result of aorto-mesenteric obstruction and communicating with an aberrant left paravertebral and paraspinal network extending to L1 and L5 and thrombosis of the left ovarian vein. The patient benefitted from conservative treatment, which intended to correct the malabsorption syndrome with the help of a nutritionist, who suggested a personalized diet to help gain weight. As a result, the patient was able to avoid surgical treatment. The case is peculiar in that the patient presented with a very rare form of Nutcracker syndrome (posterior type) associated with another rare syndrome, Wilkie syndrome.https://doi.org/10.1186/s12882-025-04003-8Nutcracker syndromeSuperior mesenteric artery (SMA) syndromeDuodenal dilationDilated left renal veinDoppler abdominal ultrasoundCT angiography abdomen and pelvis
spellingShingle Roxana Elena Mirică
Bogdan Apan
A unique case report of wilkie syndrome in a middle-aged female with posterior nutcracker syndrome
BMC Nephrology
Nutcracker syndrome
Superior mesenteric artery (SMA) syndrome
Duodenal dilation
Dilated left renal vein
Doppler abdominal ultrasound
CT angiography abdomen and pelvis
title A unique case report of wilkie syndrome in a middle-aged female with posterior nutcracker syndrome
title_full A unique case report of wilkie syndrome in a middle-aged female with posterior nutcracker syndrome
title_fullStr A unique case report of wilkie syndrome in a middle-aged female with posterior nutcracker syndrome
title_full_unstemmed A unique case report of wilkie syndrome in a middle-aged female with posterior nutcracker syndrome
title_short A unique case report of wilkie syndrome in a middle-aged female with posterior nutcracker syndrome
title_sort unique case report of wilkie syndrome in a middle aged female with posterior nutcracker syndrome
topic Nutcracker syndrome
Superior mesenteric artery (SMA) syndrome
Duodenal dilation
Dilated left renal vein
Doppler abdominal ultrasound
CT angiography abdomen and pelvis
url https://doi.org/10.1186/s12882-025-04003-8
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