Iatrogenic Intraperitoneal Urinary Bladder Injury: A Missed Diagnosis and a Clinical Lesson

Authors : Mohamed Mohamed Elawdy* , Manar Salim Al-Farsi, Omeira Ilyas, Afaaf Ilyas, Maged Mohd Moussa, and Khalid Al-Balushi
Article Categories : Design
Abstract
A female patient presented with a 5-day history of abdominal pain following a laparoscopic cholecystectomy and urachal cyst
excision. The urinary bladder (UB) appeared normal in 2 consecutive CTs with contrast done at 2 different hospitals. When a
careful history was taken and the patient’s operative file was reviewed, an iatrogenic UB injury was suspected. Then, the delayed
CT images showed an iatrogenic UB injury. A diagnostic laparoscopy revealed a large UB tear measuring 7 cm - 8 cm, which
was repaired in two layers. A urethral catheter was removed after 7 days without a cystogram. We want to advise medical
professionals that a CT cystogram is the ideal imaging modality for detection of UB tears that may not be obvious in the routine
CT, even with contrast. Alternatively, delayed films can be taken but seeing contrast in the abdominal and pelvic cavities may
require a few hours before they become apparent.