The renal capsule and Gerota's fascia delimit the kidney. A rapid expansion within these structures could cause a compartment syndrome with compression of blood vessels.
Possible causes for expansion within the delimited areas:
(1) marked renal edema associated with acute renal failure
(2) hemorrhage secondary to blunt trauma or vascular rupture
Clinical features:
(1) worsening of renal function
(2) rapid and marked expansion within the capsule or fascial space
(3) improvement in renal function on decompressing the kidney
(4) exclusion of alternative explanations
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