[Spontaneous subcapsular hematoma of the kidney during periarteritis nodosa]

Abstract

The authors report a case of spontaneous bilateral subcapsular haematoma of the kidney in a patient with polyarteritis nodosa. Although often easy to diagnose, the aetiology of these spontaneous subcapsular haematomas is sometimes difficult to establish despite ultrasonography and computed tomography. The authors emphasise the value of arteriography in these cases, which may reveal pathognomonic signs of polyarteritis nodosa. In this case, the diagnosis was established on the basis of arteriographic findings and the American College of Rheumatology criteria and not on histological criteria.