Q:
What is retroaortic left renal vein?
A:
The left renal vein arises from the left kidney to eventually drain into the Inferior Vena Cava (IVC). The IVC is formed from three pairs of veins including the posterior cardinal veins, the subcardinal veins, and the supracardinal veins. When the left renal vein courses posterior to the aorta it is referred to as retroaortic left renal vein (RLRV).
RLRV is an uncommon condition in which the left renal vein passes posterior to the abdominal aorta and anterior to the vertebrae. RLRV may lead to left renal vein hypertension (LRVH) syndrome, also known as Nutcracker syndrome (NCS). It is a condition in which the left renal vein is compressed and causes hypertension of the vessel. RLRV and NCS are vascular anomalies considered to be of clinical importance especially during surgical procedures of the renal vasculature.
Please consult your doctor for more information.
Keywords: retroaortic left renal vein.
