Background

Although the majority of haematoma of the lateral abdominal wall after blunt trauma are managed conservatively, some may need surgical management. We present a case of post-traumatic lateral abdominal wall haematoma that increased in size over few months after the initial injury and eventually required surgical excision.

Case presentation

A 21-year-old healthy young girl suffered a ski-ing injury to her right flank. She is a non-smoker and does not have any significant medical or family history. An ultrasound scan performed three months after the accident showed a large subcutaneous haematoma in right posterior paraspinal region. There was no significant Doppler flow in that area. She was initially managed conservatively. The haematoma appeared to increase in size and she subsequently had a CT scan, which showed a 13 × 10 × 20 cm well defined low density cystic mass occupying the right flank and descending posteriorly to involve the gluteal muscles and upper thigh. The swelling had fine septations but was otherwise uniform in echo density and there was no infiltration into the deep muscular layers. The features were consistent with a resolving haematoma with no evidence of acute haemorrhage. Her routine haematological investigations including haemoglobin on admission were within normal limits. She was investigated for bleeding diathesis and there was no evidence of one. There was no family history of bleeding diathesis.

An attempted aspiration under local anaesthesia was unsuccessful. In view of the increasing swelling and discomfort an MRI scan of the abdomen and pelvis (Figure 1 and 2) was obtained. This revealed a large well-defined ovoid fluid collection in the left side of the back extending inferiorly into the left gluteal region. It measured 14 × 10 cm in transverse dimension and 20 cm in cranio-caudal extent. The collection appeared to be situated superficial to the muscles of the back and the gluteal region but deep to the posterior layer of the thoraco-lumbar fascia. Multiple irregular septations were noted.

Figure 1
figure 1

MRI scan in the coronal plane showing the lateral wall haematoma.

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Figure 2
figure 2

MRI in sagital plane showing the collection was superficial to the muscles of the back and the gluteal region but deep to the posterior layer of the thoraco-lumbar fascia.

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All features were in keeping with a large sub-fascial organised haematoma. The source of bleeding was probably disrupted sub-fascial veins from the force of blunt trauma. In view of the ongoing pain and disfigurement the haematoma plus organised capsule was evacuated and excised enbloc. 1.5 litres of old blood was evacuated from the organised haematoma (Figure 3). Two suction drains were left in situ for two weeks. The patient developed a small seroma 7 days after removing the drains. This was resolved by a placement of a further suction drain under ultrasound guidance for a further 14 days.

Figure 3
figure 3

Per operative picture showing the wall of the haematoma and the cavity, which is superficial to the muscle layer.

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Discussion

Haematomas of the abdominal wall can be divided in the common rectus sheath haematomas and the less frequent lateral abdominal wall haematomas. Rectus sheath haematoma can develop spontaneously in patients with severe hypo-coagulability such as haemophilia, von-willebrand disease or sometime anticoagulant therapy. It is also a rare complication of pregnancy, laparoscopic cholecystectomy or even abdominal insulin injections [1]. Spontaneous rectus sheath haematoma caused by rupture of inferior epigastric artery has also been reported [2].

Lateral wall haematomas are uncommon and there are few reports or studies. They are classified into two groups- slow growing (oozing from muscle surface/venous bleed) and rapidly growing (arterial bleed usually from deep circumflex iliac artery) haematoma. Lefere et al [3] reported an expanding haematoma of the lateral abdominal wall after blunt trauma and Ilkgul et al [4] reported a case of post-traumatic lateral abdominal wall haematoma with non specific findings. There has been reported cases of iatrogenic haematoma from deep circumflex iliac artery as a result of trocar placement during laparoscopic surgery [5] as well as spontaneous haemorrhage from the same artery by Katsumori et al [6] and Shimizu et al[7].

Diagnosis can be made clinically by obvious swelling/bruising or may be non-specific findings like chronic anaemia, fever and plural effusion [4]. Imaging studies like ultrasound/CT/MRI helps to confirm the diagnosis by differentiating between rectus sheath and lateral abdominal wall compartment haematomas as well as help to exclude the intra abdominal haemorrhage.

The majority of haematomas can be treated conservatively. CT and MRI provide accurate information with regards to characteristics of the haematoma. There may be role for angiography (with or without embolisation) in patients with an acutely expanding haematoma with arterial bleed causing haemodynamic instability [3, 6, 7]. Slow growing lateral wall haematoma may be less obvious initially mainly because of their anatomical location and can be managed conservatively in most of the cases. But progressive disfigurement and discomfort necessitated surgical intervention in our case. Postoperative seroma is not uncommon and there are different modalities of treatments available with varying degree of success. A recent study showed sclerotherapy as a promising treatment in post mastectomy seromas [8]. In our case it was managed by radiology-guided drainage.

Conclusion

The majority of haematomas resulting from blunt trauma in our experience are managed conservatively. In the acute setting, our indications for an intervention, either radiological or surgical would be an acutely expanding haematoma with suspicion of underlying major vessel injury associated with haemodynamic instability. Our experience with this case suggests initial conservative management is feasible if the patients are haemodynamically stable. However, during follow up a low threshold for surgical intervention is recommended for un-resolving haematomas. A combination of investigation (CT/MRI) and interventions (surgical/radiological) are required to ensure complete resolution of these haematomas.

Consent

Written informed consent was obtained from the patient for publication of this case report and any accompanying images. A copy of the written consent is available for review by the Editor-in-Chief of this journal.