[Ureteral rupture after blunt abdominal injury]

Two male and one female patients, between the ages of four and 25 years, involved in road traffic accidents, sustained isolated ruptures of the right proximal ureter in addition to severe injuries to the skull and extremities. The typical urographic finding of an absent ureter was seen only once. In one incomplete rupture of the ureter from a solitary kidney, the ureter filled with contrast and there was no dilatation of the renal pelvis and in another case, the appearance of the ureter was simulated by a peri-ureteric contrast leak. Ultrasound examinations following abdominal trauma should be directed at finding peri-renal fluid; this should be followed by an urogram in order to recognize ureteric rupture at an early stage, when there may be few symptoms.