Renal Subcapsular Hematoma: A Diagnostic and Therapeutic Dilemma

Abstract

Subcapsular renal hematomas were found in 14 hypertensive patients between 17-66 yr old. In 11 patients with chronic lesions hypertension improved more often with nephrectomy (7 of 7 cases) than with a conservative operation (2 of 4 cases). Non-operative management of acute hematoma resulted in radiographic resolution and improvement of hypertension in 3 of 3 patients. Awareness of the clinical features and judicious use of diagnostic modalities enable proper management of subcapsular renal hematomas in most cases.