Rupture of the Middle Colic Artery with Intramesenteric Hemorrhage Two Weeks After Blunt Abdominal Trauma

Abstract

A 56-year-old man with severe abdominal pain suddenly collapsed in the waiting room of out patient department. Retroperitoneal and intramesenteric hemorrhage due to rupture of the middle colic artery was diagnosed on abdominal computed tomography and angiography. Emergency surgery was immediately performed to improve the patient's state of shock. Middle colic artery injury with intramesenteric hemorrhage was detected intraoperatively and a bleeding point was repaired. Finally, a history of blunt trauma with a hard impact to the buttocks 2 weeks earlier was elicited after the patient's clinical status improved. In terms of vascular injury following blunt abdominal trauma, emergency physicians should consider that the symptoms of injury may appear after a considerable delay.