Wunderlich Syndrome in a Hemodialysis Patient with Concomitant Brucellosis: A Multifactorial Hemorrhagic Interaction

Wunderlich Syndrome in Brucellosis

Authors

  • Özkan Çinici Health Sciences University Erzurum Facuty of Medicine, Erzurum, Türkiye https://orcid.org/0000-0002-0978-5460
  • Mustafa Turgut Aksaray University, Faculty of Medicine, Department of Internal Medicine, Aksaray, Türkiye
  • Tuncer Suiçer Health Sciences University, Erzurum Faculty of Medicine, Department of Internal Medicine, Erzurum, Türkiye https://orcid.org/0000-0002-5572-866X
  • Mustafa Gümüş Mersin City Hospital, Mersin, Türkiye
  • Yücel Alaylar Health Sciences University, Erzurum Faculty of Medicine, Department of Internal Medicine, Erzurum, Türkiye https://orcid.org/0000-0003-4805-289X
  • Büşra Karahan Health Sciences University, Erzurum Faculty of Medicine, Department of Internal Medicine, Erzurum, Türkiye
  • Doğan Nasır Binici Health Sciences University, Erzurum Faculty of Medicine, Department of Internal Medicine, Erzurum, Türkiye https://orcid.org/0000-0002-1614-7707

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.21787633

Keywords:

Brucellosis, Renal Dialysis, Retroperitoneal Hematoma, Spontaneous Renal Hemorrhage, Wunderlich Syndrome

Abstract

Wunderlich syndrome (WS) is a rare, potentially life-threatening spontaneous renal or perirenal hemorrhage, usually caused by renal neoplasms or vascular disorders. Hemodialysis patients are at higher risk due to uremic platelet dysfunction, dialysis-related hemostatic abnormalities, and acquired cystic kidney disease, even without anticoagulants. We present a hemodialysis patient with massive retroperitoneal hemorrhage and concurrent brucellosis, without renal mass or vascular malformation, suggesting multifactorial pathogenesis. Brucellosis may have contributed via endothelial dysfunction, immune-mediated vasculitis, and inflammatory cytokines. WS should be considered in hemodialysis patients with acute anemia or flank pain. Early imaging, diagnosis, and infection management are essential to improve outcomes.

References

Simkins A, Maiti A, Cherian SV. Wunderlich syndrome. Am J Med. 2017;130(5):e217-e218. doi:10.1016/j.amjmed.2016.11.031

Ahn T, Roberts MJ, Navaratnam A, Chung E, Wood S. Changing etiology and management patterns for spontaneous renal hemorrhage: a systematic review of contemporary series. Int Urol Nephrol. 2017;49(11):1897-1905. doi:10.1007/s11255-017-1694-8

Zhang JQ, Fielding JR, Zou KH. Etiology of spontaneous perirenal hemorrhage: a meta-analysis. J Urol. 2002;167(4):1593-1596. doi:10.1097/00005392-200204000-00006

Artinyan E, Valcheva E, Vaysilova M, Dimov N. A rare case report of Wunderlich syndrome in a chronic hemodialysis patient. Reports. 2025;8(3):121. doi:10.3390/reports8030121

Zgheib AJ, Mansour EG, Nohra JN. A case of colonoscopy-induced Wunderlich’s syndrome in a hemodialysis patient: coincidence or association? J Bras Nefrol. 2023;45(1):121-125. doi:10.1590/2175-8239-JBN-2021-0076

Ferrero MC, Bregante J, Delpino MV, et al. Proinflammatory response of human endothelial cells to Brucella infection. Microbes Infect. 2011;13(10):852-861. doi:10.1016/j.micinf.2011.04.010

Roxo MI, Pepe B, Birne R. Wunderlich syndrome in a patient on hemodialysis. J Bras Nefrol. 2023;45(3):380-381. doi:10.1590/2175-8239-JBN-2023-0011en

Jo SB, Ahn ST, Oh MM, et al. Analysis of 46 cases of spontaneous perirenal hemorrhage: a retrospective observational study. J Clin Med. 2025;14(9):2986. doi:10.3390/jcm14092986

Downloads

Published

2026-08-05

How to Cite

Çinici, Özkan, Turgut, M., Suiçer, T., Gümüş, M., Alaylar, Y., Karahan, B., & Binici, D. N. (2026). Wunderlich Syndrome in a Hemodialysis Patient with Concomitant Brucellosis: A Multifactorial Hemorrhagic Interaction: Wunderlich Syndrome in Brucellosis. Journal of European Internal Medicine Professionals, 4(3), 119–121. https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.21787633

Similar Articles

1 2 3 4 5 6 > >> 

You may also start an advanced similarity search for this article.