Motor vehicle collision with seatbelt sign and traumatic abdominal wall hernia should raise suspicion for hollow viscus injury.

ABSTRACT

Diagnosing hollow viscus injury following motor vehicle collision (MVC) requires a high index of suspicion. Here we present two cases of high velocity MVC, with 3-point restrained occupants, who presented with a seatbelt sign and associated acute traumatic flank herniation. Both patients underwent a computer tomography (CT) scan which did not identify any hollow viscus injuries. Significant injuries were ultimately identified in the operating room (OR). The presence of a seatbelt sign and underlying acute traumatic hernia should prompt a heightened level of suspicion for intra-abdominal injury, particularly hollow viscus. A heightened level of suspision and a lower threshold for operative exploration is suggested to avoid the morbidity and mortality associated with a delayed diagnosis of hollow viscus injury.