Spontaneous rupture of the urinary bladder (SRUB): Recovery from cardiopulmonary arrest

Spontaneous rupture of the urinary bladder (SRUB) is rare and results in a lethal condition, i.e., pan peritonitis. However, early and accurate diagnosis of SRUB is very difficult. A 54-year-old woman was transported to our hospital with suspicion of pan peritonitis after spontaneous return of circulation with pulseless electrical activity. Laboratory investigation seemed to indicate acute renal failure. Namely, her serum urea and creatinine levels were grossly elevated. Exploratory laparotomy showed unexpected rupture of urinary bladder. Her recovery after surgery was relatively smooth. SRUB should be considered in the differential diagnosis of pan peritonitis, because urgent appropriate surgical intervention can rescue patients from this rare lethal disease.