Urinary tract abnormalities presenting as a result of blunt abdominal trauma

Fourteen patients with unsuspected urinary tract abnormalities had their disorders diagnosed at the time of their evaluation for blunt abdominal trauma. The trauma was generally inconsequential but all of the patients had gross or microscopic hematuria. The diagnosis could be made by intravenous pyelography or physical examination in all of these patients, although in some patients the abnormality was not evident until the patient had an arteriogram. These disorders are usually detected in children, but 12 of our 14 patients were 19 years of age or older. The importance of the urogram for all patients with hematuria and minor abdominal trauma is emphasized by this group of patients.