Houdini's last deception (or, Aristotle's bowel)

Abstract

In October, 2005, the abdomen of a 30-year-old, previously healthy builder was crushed between a wooden board, which fell on his back, and a workbench. He was taken by ambulance to the emergency department at a local hospital. He had back pain. However, the attending doctors found no other symptoms or signs of illness. Notably, examination and ultrasonography of his abdomen showed no abnormality, and vital signs were stable. They therefore discharged him after a few hours of clinical observation.