[Two-stage traumatic rupture of the arteria ovarica after high energy trauma]

Rupture of the Arteria ovarica is a rare but life-threatening injury and occurs primarily in pregnancy. Most previously described ruptures of the Arteria ovarica were in the early postpartum period and in women who were older than 45 years. We report on a two-stage rupture of the Arteria ovarica after a high energy trauma, which has not previously been described in the literature.

A 66-year-old female patient was admitted to the emergency room after a car accident. Initial treatment was performed in a regional hospital. Initial clinical and radiological examinations were without any pathologies and the patient was discharged home after ambulatory treatment. Six days later, the patient was referred to our hospital because of increasing headache. A computed tomography of the head showed a subdural haematoma. A follow-up CT scan after three days showed no further progression of the haematoma.

During the hospital stay, the patient developed abdominal pain, nausea and cardiovascular decompensation. An ultrasound of the abdomen showed free fluids, while a performed CT scan of the abdomen confirmed an arterial bleeding from a pseudoaneurysm of the left ovarian artery. An emergency operation was performed. Postoperative management included ICU monitoring, diuresis control and blood transfusion. The patient was discharged home after 19 days in a good condition. The indication for performing a CT scan and primary hospitalisation after a high energy trauma should be applied generously.