Ascites, oliguria and vomiting with an increasing serum creatinine level are often observed in patients with acute renal failure. However, these symptoms are also noted in individuals with intraperitoneal urinary leakage. Bladder rupture without a history of obvious trauma is sometimes mistaken for acute renal failure. We herein report a case of bladder perforation resembling acute renal failure in which the presentation was delayed until the patient began to experience symptoms of urinary ascites. The diagnostic dilemma associated with the rarity of this condition and possible aetiologies are discussed.