The disappearing act: case of a migrating left renal vein stent

Nutcracker syndrome (NS) is a rare condition in which the abdominal aorta and superior mesenteric artery compress the left renal vein (LRV). One treatment option is the placement of an endovascular stent into the LRV, which carries the risk of stent migration.

A 30-year-old female with NS status-post LRV stenting 6 months prior presented to the emergency department with suprapubic pain. An incidental finding on abdominal computed tomography scan noted interval removal of LRV stent, which had not been surgically removed. A subsequent chest radiograph showed the stent lodged in the left pulmonary artery.

To our knowledge, this is the first documented case of LRV stent migration to the pulmonary artery. This case demonstrates the importance of physician awareness of stent migration as a potential complication after stent placement, and careful review of all imaging findings, even if unrelated to the chief complaint.