SPONTANEOUS RUPTURE OF KIDNEY WITH MASSIVE HEMORRHAGE - A COMPLICATION OF ANTICOAGULATION

A case of spontaneous or nontraumatic rupture of the kidney resulting in nearly fatal massive hemorrhage in a patient on long-term anticoagulant therapy has been reported. This case illustrates that rupture can occur in an essentially normal kidney. Rupture of the kidney is a diagnosis that should be considered in any acute abdominal crisis manifested by sudden flank pain and shock. Diagnosis is best made by intravenous pyelography or, as in this case, by transfemoral arteriography. After the patient is treated for shock, nephrectomy should be performed as soon as possible. © 1969.