Association of Subcapsular Hematomas with the Nonfunctioning Kidney

Abstract

When an enlarged nonvisualizing kidney seen on excretory urography is associated with a relatively normal retrograde pyelogram and renal angiogram, the most likely diagnosis is a subcapsular hematoma. Differential diagnosis is important because patients may be expected to respond favorably to conservative management with return to normal in appearance and function of the kidney. Three cases are presented.