Bilateral Renal Vein Thrombosis and Nephrotic Syndrome in a Patient with the Marfan Syndrome

Both the Marfan syndrome and renal vein thrombosis causing nephrotic syndrome in adults are uncommon. The occurrence of both in the same patient has not been reported. A case is presented of a 19-year-old Mexican Indian with skeletal, ocular, vascular and cutaneous manifestations of the Marfan syndrome who developed nephrotic syndrome which was clinically suspected and pathologically confirmed to be due to bilateral renal vein thrombosis. This was probably secondary to nearby dissection of the abdominal aorta. Massive edema of the legs and abdominal wall resulted in unusual exaggeration of the striae distensae seen in the Marfan syndrome.