[Spontaneous kidney rupture]

Spontaneous rupture of the kidney may occur as a complication of various congenital or acquired renal lesions. We describe three patients with non-traumatic rupture of the kidney, recently seen in our hospital. The rupture was related to polyarteritis nodosa in one case, and in the other two respectively to urothelial carcinoma and to acquired renal cystic disease in end-stage renal disease with continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis. In all patients the hemorrhagic complication led to a previously unsuspected diagnosis. After nephrectomy all patients did well. While spontaneous rupture of the kidney is very rare, it is important to consider this complication in the evaluation of a corresponding clinical picture. The possible causes of renal rupture are discussed.