Case Report

Chest and Abdominal Injuries Caused by Seat Belt Wearing

Authors: J L. Greingor, MD, S Lazarus, MD

Abstract

The authors report an original case of seat belt syndrome. Sternal fractures are common in patients with seat belt injuries. Its association with blunt bowel trauma is rarely related in the literature. Distracted injury has contributed to delay the diagnosis of intestine injury. The presence of a seat belt sign must lead to the consideration of occult injuries especially abdominal. Close observation and serial examination should be the rule.


Keys Points


* Association of blunt bowel trauma with sternal fracture is uncommon.


* The presence of a seat belt abrasion across the abdomen is an argument for high suspicion, but may not be necessarily indicative of intestinal injury.


* Bowel injury must be suspected systematically even in the absence of clinical manifestation.

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