[Unusual injuries of the abdominal aorta]

A 23-year-old patient was admitted after a car accident with multiple fractures of the extremities, contusion of the brain and a sonographically confirmed haematoma in the retroperitoneum. After 24 hours laparotomy was indicated on account of suddenly developed hypotension. On operation a haemoperitoneum was found and an extensive haematoma in the retroperitoneum, the cause of which was injury of the abdominal aorta due to rupture of the lower mesenteric and lumbar artery. The authors demonstrate the not quite typical picture of an injury of a major artery and recommended early angiography.