In 2 patients, men aged 73 and 66 undergoing physical and ultrasound examinations for complaints of abdominal pain, an aneurysm of the abdominal aorta (AAA) with a diameter of 7-8 cm was discovered. Both their blood pressure and heart rate were normal. The older man then underwent a CT scan as did the younger man after being observed overnight. They both proved to have a ruptured AAA. They were operated on and recovered well. It can be problematic to diagnose a ruptured AAA quickly in patients with abdominal and back pain, AAA on ultrasound and normal haemodynamic parameters. In this situation an emergency CT scan will visualize any retroperitoneal haematoma and the patient can undergo an emergency operation. If the CT scan does not show any rupture there is time for preoperative preparations before performing a semi-elective procedure.