Korean J Nephrol.  1999 Nov;18(6):1003-1007.

A Case of Spontaneous Rupture of REnal Allograft

• Yoon BO
• Oh MJ
• Kim JH
• Seo KH
• Yang DH
• Hong SY
• Kim EH

Abstract

Spontaneous renal allograft rupture is an uncommon complication of renal transplantation, but it represents a life-threatening emergency that requires prompt recognition and treatment. The incidence of spontaneous renal allograft rupture is variable and range between 3.6 and 9.6 percent of all transplants. In the majority of cases the rupture is associated with acute rejection episodes and with renal vein thrombosis. Most frequently, the allograft rupture occurs within the first 2 weeks of transplantation. in addition, most ruptures reported have occurred in cadaveric renal allograft. Debate on the management of such allograft salvage versus transplant nephrectomy. It appears that the recent trend is toward performing surgical repair of the graft if the rupture is secondary to rejection and oo evidence of renal vein thrombosis ; otherwise, graft nephrectomy be done. We report a case of spontaneous renal allograft rupture due to renal vein thrombosis occurred in a 21-year-old woman 6 days after transplantation. Unusual severe localized pain, swelling over at allograft site, and hypotension, a triad frequently seen in renal allograft rupture, were present. Management by graft nephrectomy was inevitable because of the patient's downhill course.

MeSH Terms

Allografts*
Cadaver
Emergencies
Female
Humans
Hypotension
Incidence
Kidney Transplantation
Nephrectomy
Renal Veins
Rupture
Rupture, Spontaneous*
Thrombosis
Transplants
Young Adult