Abdominal wall necrosis and disruption in seat belt injury

ABSTRACT

The seat belt has reduced mortality and morbidity caused by motor vehicle accidents. Nevertheless, the seat belt has been associated with multiple abdominal injuries. We present the case of a 31 year old male referred after he was involved in a high-speed motor vehicle accident. He was wearing a seat belt when he sustained injuries and bruising across the abdomen at the seat belt area. Clinical examination and Computerized Tomography were not helpful in early detection of intra-abdominal injuries. The presence of "seat belt sign" across the abdomen should increase the index of suspicion of the presence of serious intra-abdominal injuries