Seat-belt induced bladder rupture in a car accident: A case report

Injury to the lower urinary tract is relatively uncommon in the setting of blunt trauma. Identification of serious intra-abdominal injury is often challenging. Bladder injuries occur most often from external force and are often associated with pelvic fractures. Typically, these patients have a history of pelvic trauma, which is fairly straightforward for motor vehicle accidents, deceleration injuries, or assaults to the lower abdomen. Here, we describe a case of bladder rupture not associated with pelvic fracture in a 58-year-old man. The "seat-belt sign" and gross hematuria were present. Emergency surgery was performed with excellent results and he was discharged in stable condition. Copyright (C) 2012, Taiwan Society of Emergency Medicine. Published by Elsevier Taiwan LLC. All rights reserved.