Development of a peri-renal urinoma in a follow-up patient with history posttraumatic peri-nephric hematoma: role of renal scintigraphy

Abstract

A 7-year-old male with a history of blunt trauma to the abdomen and diagnosis of perinephric hematoma in contrast-enhanced computed tomography (CT) presented with increasing peri-nephric collection (after ~1.5 months) in the serial ultrasound examinations. The patient was referred to the department of nuclear medicine for the assessment of this collection as well as renal function. In 99mTc-diethylenetriamine pentaacetate renal scintigraphy, progressively increasing radiotracer activity was noted inferolaterally to the left kidney, separated from the same by a photopenic area. Single-photon emission computed tomography/CT revealed a peri-nephric urinoma in relation to the previously diagnosed hematoma at the lower pole; which was communicating with the pelvi-calyceal system (PCS). Not only did the renal scintigraphy aid in the diagnosis of urinoma but it was also able to show that it was communicating freely with the PCS and that the rest of the renal parenchyma was functioning adequately. This multi-faceted assessment in a single investigation allowed clinicians to opt for the conservative management despite the increasing size of urinoma in the early follow-up.