[Isolated complete duodenal avulsion at the pylorus after blunt abdominal trauma]

We would like to place on record a case of an isolated complete duodenal avulsion distal to the pylorus after blunt abdominal trauma, in a 78-year-old patient. From all relevant literature, this is the first case known to us of duodenal rupture, around its complete circumference, in close proximity to the pylorus, which did not result in the injury of any further organs, in the absence of chronically infectious alterations. A duodenal injury in the case of blunt abdominal trauma is rare and amongst injuries to hollow organs is of no great importance. In isolated cases of duodenal injuries, it is normally the second or third section that is affected, both of which are fairly rigidly anchored to the retroperitoneum. If the first section is injured this is normally accompanied by considerable injury to the liver or head of the pancreas.