Spontaneous rupture of the kidney: a report on 5 cases.

Five cases of spontaneous rupture of the renal parenchyma are reported. Two patients had renal cell cancer, one sustained acute purulent pyelonephritis secondary to stone related ureteral obstruction, one suffered from aposthematous pyelonephritis without obstruction, while one had chronic pyelonephritis and a cortical cyst as probable predisposing factors. Aetiology and important points concerning diagnosis and therapy are discussed.