Retroaortic left renal vein

Abstract

A retroaortic left renal vein (RLRV) is an uncommon condition in which the left renal vein passes posterior to the abdominal aorta and anterior to the vertebrae. Retroaortic left renal vein may lead to left renal vein hypertension syndrome, also known as the nutcracker syndrome, a condition in which extrinsic compression of the left renal vein causes hypertension within the vessel. Retroaortic left renal vein and nutcracker syndrome are vascular anomalies considered to be of clinical importance, particularly during surgical procedures involving the renal vasculature directly or, in many cases, the abdominal aorta. © The Author(s) 2013.