Abstract
Rectus sheath hematoma should be considered as a possible cause of severe abdominal pain in the presence of anticoagulant therapy and abdominal trauma. The unique anatomy of this area and its proximity to the peritoneum may mimic more serious abdominal pathology. Awareness of this pathological entity, which can readily be diagnosed with ultrasound, may eliminate the need for more costly or invasive diagnostic procedures.
References
1.
1.
Puylaert JB
,
van der Zant FM
,
Rijike AM
: Sonography and the acute abdomen: Practical considerations . AJB
1997 ;168 :179 -186 .
2.
2.
Nguyen KT
,
SaUerbrei EE
,
Lewandowski BJ
,
Nolan RL
: The Abdominal wxall , in
Rumack CMI
,
Wilson SR
,
Charboneau J.'V
(eds): Diagnostic Ultrasomnd , St. Louis , Mosby Year Book , 1991 , pp 353 -354 .
3.
3.
Gras H
: Anatomnt of the Humiian Body , 35th British Edition ,
Warwick R
(ed): Philadelphia , WB Saunders , 1973 , pp 524 -526 .
4.
4.
Adams JT
: Abdominal wall, omentum, mesentery, and retroperitoneum , in
Schwartz SI
,
Shires GT
,
Spencer FC
(eds): Principles of Surgeun , 6th Edition . Ness York : McGrawA-Hill , 1994 , pp 1485 -1487 .
5.
5.
Scott WM
,
Fishman EK
,
Siegelman SS
: Anticoagulants and abdominal pain: The role of computed tomographs . JANMA
1984 ;252 :2053 -2056 .
6.
6.
Fukuda T
,
Sakamato I
,
Kohzaki S
, et al: Spontaneous rectus sheath hematomas: Clinical and radiological features . Abdomn Imaging
1996 ;21 :58 -61 .
7.
7.
Bober SE
,
Cohen HL
,
Setzen G
,
Gareni C
: Rectus sheath hematoma simulating periappendiceal abscess . J Ultrasound Med
1992 ;11 :179 -180 .
8.
8.
Lohle PN
,
Puylaert JB
,
Coerkamp EG
,
Hermans ET
: Nonpalpable rectus sheath hematoma clinically masquerading as appendicitis: US and CT diagnosis . Abdomn Imaging
1995 ;20 :152 -154 .
9.
9.
Puylaert JB
: When in doubt, sound it out . Radiolog)
1994 ; 191 :320 -321 .
