We present an unusual case of spontaneous renal subcapsular haematoma in a
normal kidney presenting with pleuritic chest pain and mimicking pulmonary
embolism. The literature suggests that the majority of these cases occur in
association with renal tumours and that the diagnosis can best be made by
computed tomographic scanning. Treatment is expectant but because of the hi
gh incidence of tumours, nephrectomy is usually necessary. Copyright (C) 19
99 S. Karger AG, Basel.