Spontaneous retroperitoneal hemorrhage due to acquired cystic kidney disease

A patient with end-stage renal disease on maintenance hemodialysis developed sudden severe abdominal pain and distension. He suffered a decline in his hematocrit and subsequent abdominal imaging revealed a large left-sided retroperitoneal hemorrhage in the setting of atrophic, severely cystic kidneys. He underwent selective left renal artery angiography and embolization due to continued hemorrhage with stabilization in his condition. However, he became paraparetic within hours of the embolization procedure due to spinal cord infarct. Acquired cystic kidney disease is a very common entity in patients with chronic kidney disease. Complications include cystic hemorrhage or infection, erythrocytosis, and renal cell carcinoma. Screening of patients for cystic disease and malignant transformation remains a controversial topic; however, most advocate abdominal imaging after 3 to 5 years on dialysis.