Aetiology and treatment of spontaneous renal subcapsular effusion

Abstract

AimThe aim of the present study was to investigate the diagnosis and treatment of spontaneous renal subcapsular effusion.Patients and MethodsFrom May 2003 to December 2010, 14 patients with spontaneous renal subcapsular effusion were treated at our department. Subcapsular renal aspiration and drainage was performed in four patients, and effusion drainage and renal capsulotomy plus omentum wrapping was performed in 10 patients, among whom laparoscopic surgery was carried out in two cases.ResultsFever was controlled within 3–5 days after aspiration or open surgical drainage plus omental wrapping. Renal subcapsular effusion disappeared after the second and third attempts of aspiration in three cases. In the other 11 cases, subcapsular effusion disappeared approximately 7–26 days after a single aspiration with continuous drainage or open surgical drainage plus omental wrapping (including two cases of laparoscopic surgery). No recurrence was observed during follow up (ranging from 6 months to 6 years).ConclusionSpontaneous renal subcapsular effusion is an inflammatory exudate of the renal parenchyma of undetermined aetiology. One of the possible causes is allergic disease of the renal vessels. Satisfactory therapeutic outcomes can be achieved by aspiration drainage or renal subcapsular effusion plus omental wrapping (including laparoscopic surgery), together with the administration of antibiotics and glucocorticoids.