Document Type

Article

Publication Title

Clinical Practice and Cases in Emergency Medicine

Abstract

Introduction: Wunderlich syndrome (WS) is a rare condition characterized by spontaneous, atraumatic renal hemorrhage. It often presents with non-specific symptoms and is typically diagnosed through computed tomography (CT). The most common presentation of WS includes the Lenk triad, which consists of flank pain, a palpable flank mass, and hypovolemic shock. If diagnosis and treatment are delayed, WS can rapidly progress and lead to unfavorable patient outcomes.

Case Report: A 65-year-old male presented to the emergency department with severe sudden-onset left flank pain with subsequent CT angiogram demonstrating an actively bleeding left renal hematoma. The patient was managed conservatively with supportive care. His vitals remained stable, and he did not require any surgical or vascular interventions.

Conclusion: Wunderlich syndrome is a spontaneous renal or perinephric hemorrhage occurring in the absence of trauma; it is rarely included in the differential for patients with flank pain but can become life-threatening when not recognized.

DOI

10.5811/cpcem.33528

Publication Date

8-26-2025

Keywords

spontaneous renal hemorrhage, Wunderlich syndrome, case report, emergent causes of flank pain, atraumatic renal hemorrhage

ISSN

2474-252X

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