Clinical Practice and Cases in Emergency Medicine

Introduction: Renal artery aneurysm rupture is a rare but morbid diagnosis, often requiring emergency surgery and nephrectomy. Clinical presentation can mimic more common pathology in non-pregnant women such as ruptured ovarian cyst.

Case Report: We present a case of a woman with a prior history of ovarian cyst presenting with a ruptured renal artery aneurysm. Prompt computed tomography (CT) imaging revealed a left renal artery aneurysm rupture with hemoperitoneum and renal infarct. She underwent emergency laparotomy and nephrectomy and was ultimately discharged in good condition.

Conclusion: While ovarian cyst rupture is the most common cause of spontaneous hemoperitoneum in non-pregnant women of childbearing age, renal artery aneurysm rupture should be considered and prompt CT imaging obtained, particularly in cases of hemodynamic instability, to ensure prompt treatment.