The abdominal seatbelt sign

The abdominal seatbelt sign (ASBS) refers to the characteristic linear transverse anterior abdominal wall contusion resulting from a compressive injury by the lap belt component of seatbelts occurring in patients involved in motor vehicle collisions (MVC). The abdominal seatbelt sign can be identifed on physical examination (Fig. 1), on CT (Fig. 2) or both clinically and radiologically. It was frst described in the Journal of Trauma in 1962 as part of a constellation of injuries encountered with seatbelt usage termed “the seatbelt syndrome” [1]. Following the introduction of three-point seatbelts in the 1970s, a concomitant diagonal contusion along the anterior chest wall caused by the shoulder belt component is frequently observed in this patient group (Fig. 3) [2]. Recognition of the CT presence of an ASBS is important due to its association with hollow viscus, mesenteric and lumbar spine injuries.