A Case of Severe Cough-induced Abdominal Wall Hematoma

Son, Jun Hyuk; Baik, Jae Joong; Yang, Keum Yeol; Ryu, Kwang Won; Joo, Young Jin; Choi, Seung Min; Kim, Sang Cheol; Chung, Yeontae

Abstract

Severe cough may contribute to serous coplications such as pneumothorax, pneumomediastinum, rib fracture, subconjunctival hemorrhage, subdural hemorrhage and cough syncope. However abdominal wall hematoma is a rare complication. Because it usually presents with abdmoianal pain, abdominal wall hematoma needs to be differentiated from the acute surgical abdomen. A 78-year-old woman was admitted with right lower quadrant abdominal pain and a palpable mass for several days. She experienced abdominal pain after violent coughing associated with an upper respiratory tract in fection. Abdominal computed tomography revealed an approximately 7Ã—4 cm sized, ill-defined, soft tissue density lesion in the right lower posterolateral abdominal wall. An abdominal wall hematoma was diagnosed. After admission, she had persistent right lower abdominal pain and an increasing mass. The mass was surgically removed and she was discharged without complications. In summary, when a patient complains of abdmonial pain after severe coughing, an abdominal wall hematomas as a differential diagnosis must be considered.