The importance of a standing position in the diagnosis of Nutcracker phenomenon by duplex sonography.

Aim: To determine the clinical usefulness of Doppler ultrasonography in the diagnosis of the Nutcracker phenomenon, as an alternative to computed tomographic scans (CT).

Methods: This study consisted of 52 patients that presented with intermittent hematuria of unknown origin between January 2006 to April 2008. Doppler ultrasonography was used to assess the left renal vein (LRV) by measuring the anteroposterior (AP) diameter and peak systolic velocity (PSV) in supine and standing positions, at the hilar and interaortomesenteric portions of the LRV.

[Uremic hemolytic syndrome in the adult. A study of four cases (author's transl)].

Four cases of the uremic-hemolytic syndrome in the adult are presented. One of them was associated with the presence of the Australia antigen in the plasma. Another had recurrent and familial characteristics associated with the ingestion of oral contraceptives and exhibited a persistent activation of the C3 fraction and the presence of C3NeF (nephritic factor).