Life-Threatening Bleeding Following a Stable Fracture of the Superior Pubic Ramus: A Case Report

Zeinab Al-Rawi1, Yasmin Nached1, Abdulla Abdelwahab1

  • 1Department of Orthopaedics and Trauma, Mohammed Bin Rashid University of Medicine and Health Sciences, Dubai, ARE.

Cureus
|July 3, 2024
PubMed

Insights

Bleeding from the corona mortis, an anatomical variant, can cause instability even in stable pelvic fractures. Early monitoring and intervention like embolization are vital, especially in elderly patients.

Area of Science:

  • Anatomy
  • Vascular Anatomy
  • Trauma Surgery

Background:

  • The corona mortis, an anatomical variant near the superior pubic ramus, poses a risk of bleeding.
  • Stable pelvic fractures are often managed conservatively, with complications infrequently anticipated.
  • Elderly patients with pelvic fractures require careful monitoring due to potential hemostatic challenges.

Observation:

  • A 61-year-old female with a low-energy pelvic fracture presented with hemodynamic instability.
  • The instability was attributed to bleeding from the corona mortis, despite the fracture's benign appearance.
  • Superselective embolization was successfully performed to control the hemorrhage.

Findings:

  • The corona mortis can be a source of significant hemorrhage in stable pelvic fractures.
  • Conservative management of the pelvic fracture was successful post-embolization.
  • Prompt recognition and intervention for corona mortis bleeding are critical.

Implications:

  • Clinicians should consider corona mortis bleeding in hemodynamically unstable patients with pelvic fractures, regardless of fracture stability.
  • Serial hemoglobin monitoring and targeted imaging are essential in managing these cases.
  • Superselective embolization is an effective treatment for corona mortis hemorrhage.

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