[Massive retroperitoneal hematoma caused by rupture of the kidney, secondary to cortical abscess]

A massive retroperitoneal hemorrhage found to be due to a renal abscess in a previously healthy kidney was treated successfully by nephrectomy. This type of lesion occurs fairly infrequently, but it is quite exceptional to observe presenting signs as in the case reported, and recovery is not mentioned in the published literature. Therapy for renal abscess involves either urgent nephrectomy in cases of associated hemorrhagic or septic shock, or medical treatment under close supervision in the absence of major signs of severity, which may, however, develop at any moment making surgery inevitable.