title: Subcapsular liver hematoma after colonoscopy diagnosed by emergency department bedside ultrasonography.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Hepatic subcapsular hematoma is an uncommon cause of right upper quadrant pain in the Emergency Department. It must be recognized early, as large volumes of acute blood loss and rupture into the peritoneum carry significant morbidity and mortality. In the absence of gallbladder disease, the differential diagnosis should include liver pathology. Bedside ultrasonography can be used to identify such lesions.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  To discuss the presentation, evaluation, and management options of hepatic subcapsular hematoma.
  
  
  METHODS
  We report a case of a 30-year-old woman who presented with the chief complaint of right upper quadrant pain radiating to the right scapula 6 h after a screening colonoscopy for intestinal polyps. Emergency physician-performed bedside ultrasound revealed a large hyperechoic mass in the right lobe of the liver. Radiology-performed comprehensive ultrasound and subsequent computed tomography scan of her abdomen and pelvis revealed a subcapsular hematoma without intestinal perforation.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  In a patient with undifferentiated right upper quadrant abdominal pain, bedside ultrasonography is a rapid and effective modality in the diagnosis of liver masses, including subcapsular hematoma.
authors.affiliation: Department of Emergency Medicine, Staten Island University Hospital, Staten Island, New York.
authors.forename: Mansour
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Jammal
authors.forename: Walter
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Valesky
authors.forename: Devjani
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Das
authors.forename: Cara
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Brown
authors.forename: Monica
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Kapoor
mesh_terms: D015746:Abdominal Pain / Q000209:etiology; D000328:Adult; D003113:Colonoscopy / Q000009:adverse effects; D004636:Emergency Service, Hospital; D005260:Female; D006406:Hematoma / Q000150:complications / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D006801:Humans; D008107:Liver Diseases / Q000150:complications / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D019095:Point-of-Care Systems; D014463:Ultrasonography
keywords: abdominal pain; colonoscopy; computed tomography; emergency ultrasound; subcapsular hematoma