Hemodynamic Instability in Emergency Department: Giant Rectus Sheath Hematoma and Point-of-Care Ultrasonography

Ay Y., Çanakçı M. E., Temel T., Özakın E., Acar N.

Cureus, vol.13, no.3, 2021 (ESCI) identifier identifier

  • Publication Type: Article / Case Report
  • Volume: 13 Issue: 3
  • Publication Date: 2021
  • Doi Number: 10.7759/cureus.13669
  • Journal Name: Cureus
  • Journal Indexes: Emerging Sources Citation Index (ESCI)
  • Keywords: rectus sheath hematoma, paracentesis, ultrasonography, emergency department, PARACENTESIS, ASCITES
  • Eskisehir Osmangazi University Affiliated: Yes

Abstract

Iatrogenic rectus sheath hematoma (RSH) developed after paracentesis is a rare but life-threatening complication. Mortality rates of patients may increase due to delays in treatment and comorbid conditions. In this article, we present the case of a patient who was unstable in the emergency department and was diagnosed with RSH using point-of-care ultrasonography (POCUS). The importance of POCUS has increased as hematoma manifestations of patients with severe ascites tend to be obscured. POCUS has varied uses in the emergency department, and in this article we emphasize the use of POCUS in a life-threatening case of RSH.