Traumatic rupture of the abdominal wall with subcutaneous herniation of the transverse colon and perforation of the small bowel.

The rise in the number of abdominal injuries due to blunt trauma is mainly caused by the progressive increase of traffic accidents. Immediate X-ray examination of the abdomen may help to establish a correct diagnosis, or to exclude a suspected visceral injury and save the patient an unnecessary operation. Conditions like pneumoperitoneum or retroperitoneal emphysema, indicating a gastric or intestinal rupture; intra-abdominal and retroperitonealhaematomas and rupture of the diaphragm can usually be diagnosed by means of plain films of the abdomen. Contrast examination of the urinary tract may verify or exclude a kidney, ureter or bladder injury; examination of the alimentary tract with watersoluble contrast medium should demonstrate the site of a perforation of the stomach or bowel. Selective visceral or renal angiography in selected cases may provide decisive information regarding the localisation of an injury of the solid or hollow viscera. In abdominal injury, provided conventional radiography is used ...