Wunderlich's syndrome (spontaneous renal haemorrhage)

BMJ Case Rep. 2012 Jun 5:2012:bcr2012006280. doi: 10.1136/bcr-2012-006280.

Abstract

Wunderlich's syndrome is a rare condition characterised by spontaneous non-traumatic renal haemorrhage into the subcapsular and perirenal space. The commonest cause of Wunderlich's syndrome is renal neoplasms, with angiomyolipoma and renal cell carcinoma being the most common benign and malignant lesions, respectively. We report a case of Wunderlich's syndrome in a 46-year-old woman. She presented in the emergency department with the chief complaints of sudden onset of abdominal pain with no significant medical history. Imaging findings and clinical history led to the diagnosis of Wunderlich's syndrome. The patient underwent left partial nephrectomy and recovered without any complications. She is presently doing well.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Diagnosis, Differential
  • Female
  • Hemorrhage / diagnosis
  • Hemorrhage / etiology*
  • Hemorrhage / surgery
  • Humans
  • Kidney Diseases / diagnosis
  • Kidney Diseases / etiology*
  • Kidney Diseases / surgery
  • Middle Aged
  • Nephrectomy / methods*
  • Retroperitoneal Space
  • Syndrome
  • Ultrasonography, Doppler, Color