Spontaneous rupture of the inferior vena cava: case report and literature review

Spontaneous rupture of the inferior vena cava is a rare clinical entity. Diagnosis of this condition, in the absence of any relevant history, is usually made at laparotomy. Only one such case has previously been reported in the literature. We report a case of spontaneous rupture of the inferior vena cava which was diagnosed following laparotomy for hypovolaemia and acute abdominal pain. This case highlights the fact that spontaneous rupture of the inferior vena cava may be a cause of massive intra-abdominal bleeding not associated with trauma or rupture of the abdominal aorta.