An interesting presentation of a rare association of the Wilkie and Nutcracker syndromes

Radiol Case Rep. 2023 May 29;18(8):2677-2680. doi: 10.1016/j.radcr.2023.05.020. eCollection 2023 Aug.

Abstract

Superior mesenteric artery syndrome also known as Wilkie's syndrome (WS) and Nutcracker syndrome (NCS) are 2 rare vascular syndromes characterized by the reduction of the aortomesenteric space. In the WS the reduction of the aortomesenteric angle leads to compression of the third portion of the duodenum. In the NCS the reduced aortomesenteric space usually causes a left renal vein (LVR) entrapment and the clinical presentation is a left flank pain, micro/macrohematuria and proteinuria. Arterial hypertension can be an unusual manifestation of the NCS. Herein, we describe the case of a 37-year-old woman with a history of breast cancer and abdominal subocclusion, with a recent onset of arterial hypertension whose enhanced computed tomography (CT) showed a reduced angle between the abdominal aorta and superior mesenteric artery with the CT findings of both the WS and NCS.

Keywords: Aortic mesenteric syndrome; Arterial hypertension; CT; Nutcracker syndrome; Wilkie syndrome.

Publication types

  • Case Reports