Iliac and femoral artery occlusion by thromboemboli from an abdominal aortic aneurysm in the setting of blunt abdominal trauma.

The abdominal aorta is injured infrequently in blunt trauma to the abdomen. When injury does occur, aortic rupture, dissection, and traumatic aneurysm most commonly result. An aneurysmal abdominal aorta would appear to be at increased risk for injury from blunt abdominal trauma. This case report appears to be the first description of iliac and femoral artery occlusion by thromboemboli dislodged from an atherosclerotic abdominal aortic aneurysm at the time of a motor vehicle accident. We believe that this peripheral embolization was caused by direct compression of the abdominal aortic aneurysm by a seatbelt.