Disruption of the renal pelvis by blunt trauma

Blunt trauma to the renal pelvis is exceedingly rare and such trauma of the ureter is only slightly more common. A tetrad of radiologic findings should suggest the diagnosis when there is a high index of suspicion. It would seem that early surgical treatment would be the preferred program but in the face of serious associated trauma there is little lost by waiting. Nineteen days elapsed between injury and repair in this case. That duration may be excessive, but as shown in this case the result was excellent and the patient's retroperitoneum was never infected. We do not advocate a purposeful delay of this duration but on the other hand there is no reason to assume that it is particularly harmful.