[Spontaneous rupture of the kidney pelvis calix system--causes, diagnosis and therapy]

The symptoms, diagnosis and management of the spontaneous non-traumatic rupture of the urinary collecting system are described. It is important to distinguish this frank rupture of the diseased renal pelvis from extravasation due to pyelosinusal or fornical backflow. Most cases of the latter variety are caused by acute calculous ureteral obstruction and observed during intravenous pyelogram with abdominal compression. They can be managed conservatively. Frank rupture of the renal pelvis are caused by an acute obstruction in a collecting system affected by infection, chronic obstruction, calculous erosion or tumor and is usually of grave significance and requires early surgical intervention. If the therapy is adequate, the prognosis seems to be favourable and nephrectomy seldom necessary.