Search
Question
23 year-old female presents complaining of progressive right lower quadrant pain after doing "vigorous" exercise. CT abdomen/pelvis below. What’s the diagnosis? (Hint: it’s not appendicitis)
Answer
Rectus sheath hematoma
Rectus Sheath Hematoma (RSH)
Rectus muscle tear causing damage to the superior or inferior epigastric arteries with subsequent bleeding into the rectus sheath; uncommon cause of abdominal pain but mimics almost any abdominal condition.
Diagnose with CT, but try using ultrasound (thanks Dr. Joseph Minardi)
May occur spontaneously, but suspect with the following risk factors:
- Coagulopathy (#1 cause); acquired (e.g., warfarin) or inherited disorder
- Rectus muscle trauma
- Vigorous or sudden contraction of rectus muscle
- Increased intra-abdominal pressure from vigorous coughing
- Pregnancy (gestation, labor, or post-partum)
Typically a self-limiting condition, but hypovolemic shock may result from significant hematoma expansion.
Hemodynamically stable (non-expanding hematoma): conservative treatment (rest, analgesia, and ice)
Hemodynamically unstable (expanding hematoma): treat with fluid resuscitation, reversal of coagulopathy, and transfusion of blood products.
References
Follow me on Twitter (@criticalcarenow)