[Bladder rupture. Diagnosis, etiology and treatment]

Area of Science:

• Urology
• Trauma Surgery
• Diagnostic Imaging

Background:

• Bladder ruptures are predominantly caused by major blunt abdominal trauma (80-90%) or penetrating injuries.
• They are frequently associated with pelvic fractures, but can also result from less severe blunt abdominal trauma.
• Ruptures can be intraperitoneal or extraperitoneal, presenting with symptoms like hematuria and suprapubic pain.

Observation:

• Retrograde cystography is the preferred diagnostic method for bladder rupture.
• Intravenous pyelogram is insufficient for adequate bladder examination.
• This report details two cases of intraperitoneal bladder rupture occurring after low-energy abdominal trauma.

Findings:

• The study describes two unique cases of intraperitoneal bladder rupture.
• These ruptures occurred subsequent to low-energy abdominal trauma, challenging typical etiological assumptions.
• The findings suggest a broader range of causative factors for bladder rupture than commonly recognized.

Implications:

• These cases expand the understanding of bladder rupture etiology, particularly for intraperitoneal injuries.
• Clinicians should consider bladder rupture in patients with suprapubic pain and hematuria, even after seemingly minor abdominal trauma.
• Diagnostic protocols may need to account for less common mechanisms of bladder injury.