The Nutcracker phenomenon is a rare asymptomatic compression of the left renal vein. Among various types of this condition, the entrapment of the left renal vein between the superior mesenteric artery and abdominal aorta is common. This phenomenon could affect underweight individuals because of the paucity of adipose tissue in the retroperitoneum, which decreases the angle between the superior mesenteric artery and the aorta. Symptomatic compression of the left renal vein is known as Nutcracker syndrome. Duplex sonography of renal veins and contrast-enhanced abdominal computed tomography are commonly used to diagnose the Nutcracker phenomenon and syndrome.
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