Traumatic extraperitoneal bladder rupture in the absence of pelvic fracture in a patient with pelvic organ prolapse: A case report and review of the literature

INTRODUCTION AND IMPORTANCE: Traumatic bladder rupture is a rare occurrence. It is more likely to occur following blunt injury and is associated with pelvic fractures in patients presenting with hematuria. We present a unique case of an extraperitoneal bladder rupture in a female after sustaining a minor fall in the absence of a pelvic fracture. PRESENTATION OF CASE: The patient is a morbidly obese female with a history of vaginal vault prolapse who reported profuse vaginal bleeding and lower abdominal and suprapubic pain shortly after falling off of her bed. The patient showed no signs of hemodynamic instability and genital bleeding was ruled out in the emergency department. A Computed Tomography (CT) cystogram confirmed bladder rupture confined to the extraperitoneal space without any evidence of pelvic fractures. DISCUSSION: Blunt traumatic extraperitoneal bladder rupture is typically associated with concomitant pelvic fracture. These injuries tend to occur as a result of high-impact motor vehicle or motorcycle collisions and are associated with an increased morbidity and mortality. CONCLUSION: Dedicated bladder imaging should be considered in blunt abdominopelvic trauma patients presenting with hematuria in the absence of pelvic fracture when the patient's underlying medical conditions or comorbidities increase the risk of bladder rupture. Our patient's history of pelvic organ prolapse placed her at an increased risk of traumatic injury to the bladder.