ABSTRACT
Spontaneous rupture of the kidney, Wonderlich syndrome, is a rare event but potentially life-threatening condition. The most comman causes are clear cell carcinoma, benign angiomyolipoma and vascular disease. Among this event, acute pyelonephritis is a very unusual cause. A 67-year-old diabetic woman was admitted with high fever and left flank pain due to acute pyelonephritis. She had uterine prolapse for 10 years with both renal hydronephrosis before this event. Abdominal ultrasonography and CT scan showed fluid collection around left kidney with a rupture of renal parenchyme at lower pole. The renal angiography showed displaced capsular artery due to subcapsular hematoma and decreased blood flow at lower pole. The percutaneous needle aspiration revealed blood collection around left kidney, which confirmed spontaneous rupture of the kidney. We report this case with a review of the relevant literature.