The diagnosis and management of spontaneous rupture of the ureter

Spontaneous rupture of the ureter is rare. It usually is associated with calculous disease and most often occurs in the upper ureter. The surgical management includes drainage of the urinoma and proximal nephrostomy drainage with urinary reconstruction if necessary. Even with good surgical management secondary nephrectomy sometimes is required. The clinical course of 2 patients is described and the literature is summarized.