Spontaneous renal rupture due to renal calculi: A case report and literature review

Spontaneous renal parenchymal rupture is a rare clinical emergency. The formation of benign and malignant tumors is the most common underlying cause of spontaneous rupture of renal parenchyma. To the best of our knowledge, 15 cases of renal parenchymal rupture have been reported to date. This report describes a rare case of renal parenchyma rupture in the lower left kidney caused by kidney calculi. Furthermore, previously published cases and articles were reviewed. The patient underwent four extracorporeal shockwave lithotripsy procedures within 2 years. The renal parenchyma rupture caused by the stones was successfully treated by removing the stones and repairing the kidney. However, a large hematoma was discovered around the lower pole of the left kidney, suggesting the possibility of a renal tumor. Therefore, radical nephrectomy was performed. Postoperative pathology revealed the lesion to be consistent with an intrarenal stone, where no malignancy, infection or vascular disease was observed. The present case highlights the requirement to also take into account the patient's clinical history in cases where imaging cannot completely identify the underlying cause of renal parenchymal rupture. Accurate identification of the underlying etiology of spontaneous renal rupture may determine the best treatment for the patient. The purpose of the present report is to facilitate the identification of the disease and reduce the rate of clinical misdiagnosis.