Case Report: Spontaneous Hemorrhage of a Rare Renal Tumor in the Native Kidney of a Renal Transplant Recipient

Wünderlich Syndrome in Renal Transplant Recipients: A Case Report and Literature Review

BACKGROUND

Wünderlich syndrome, or spontaneous atraumatic renal hemorrhage, is a clinical entity rarely described in the native kidney of patients who have undergone renal transplant. Although its manifestation is quite similar in reported cases, it may present few symptoms, from bleeding of unidentified etiology to dramatic pictures associated with hypovolemic shock. There are few reports of spontaneous hemorrhage of a native kidney after kidney transplantation.

CASE REPORT

We present a 38-year-old male patient who developed hemorrhage of a ruptured native kidney after a late renal transplantation. We analyze what has been reported in the literature and highlight the possibility of this complication after kidney transplantation. Imaging exams and surgical specimen demonstrated the presence of ruptured angiomyolipoma in the patient's native right kidney. The postoperative period was not complicated, with a benign clinical evolution.

CONCLUSION

Although rare in patients who have undergone renal transplant, it is justified to suggest Wünderlich syndrome in the presence of acute flank pain, abdominal tenderness, and signs of internal bleeding (Lenk's triad), with unexplained hemoglobin drop.

Deceased donor kidney transplant complicated by spontaneous rupture of native kidney in a HIV patient

Spontaneous native kidney rupture (SNKR) is a rare occurrence, commonly associated with underlying renal tumors or acquired renal cystic disease in both the kidney transplant (KT) and non-KT populations. Herein, we present a 65-year-old African American man who experienced a non-malignant SNKR 6 days after a deceased donor KT and underwent emergent native nephrectomy. The patient's hospital course was complicated by thrombocytopenia and refractory hypertension. He experienced delayed graft function and was maintained on hemodialysis until post-operative day 30. This case demonstrates an unusual presentation of SNKR in the immediate post-KT setting and illustrates the clinical decision-making algorithm.