Blunt abdominal aortic trauma in children: case report.

Injuries to the abdominal aorta as a result of blunt trauma in children are extremely rare. We encountered one such injury and a review of the literature revealed seven additional cases. Lower extremity ischemia, abdominal bruit, or paraplegia may suggest that diagnosis at the time of injury. Delayed presentations are characterized by abdominal pain or a pulsatile mass, with or without bruit. A high index of suspicion with early aortography is indicated to diagnose blunt aortic trauma.