Spontaneous Intraperitoneal Rupture of the Urinary Bladder – A Case Report and Review of the Literature

Abstract

Spontaneous rupture of the urinary bladder is a rare occurrence, according to the urological literature. Most case have been associated with disease of the bladder wall or lower urinary outflow obstruction. Alcohol intoxication has been acknowledged as a possible co-factor of unexplained rupture. It had been suggested that alcohol impairs the sensory appreciation of bladder fullness allowing overdistension. This is a rare occurrence, but nevertheless clinically clinically important, primarily because of a risk of delayed treatment. A 42-Year-old male truck-driver had a 13-year history of alcohol abuse. Lower abdominal pain occurred suddenly while has attempted to void; this was followed by diffuse abdominal tenderness and guarding. Catheterization drained 100 ml of coffee ground urine at admission. Exploration laparotomy was performed under the impression of bladder rupture, as demonstrated on the cystogram; intraperitioneal bladder rupture was found. Past history reviewed neither infection nor urinary system trauma. Two year follow-up showed no recurrence of bladder rupture.