Case profile: spontaneous rupture of simple renal cyst into pyelocalyceal system

Death From Renal Cyst

We report an unusual death of an apparently healthy 56-year-old male due to massive hemorrhage caused by rupture of an artery in the wall of a solitary renal cyst, possibly after a relatively minor trauma. Fatalities due to spontaneous or posttraumatic rupture of renal cysts are extremely rare but can represent a potential danger for people with acquired cystic kidney disease. Our report describes results of the forensic investigation and discusses possible mechanisms of the rupture.

Traumatic rupture of renal cyst into the retroperitoneum and the pyelocalyceal system

Kidneys are involved in about 25% of abdominal traumas. Pathologically altered kidneys are mostly affected in the case of hydronephrosis, cysts and tumours.