Rectus sheath hematoma due to cough in an elderly patient under antiplatelet therapy.
OBJECTIVE
Abdominal rectus sheath hematoma (ARSH) is a rare clinical condition that can be confused with other causes of acute abdomen.


METHODS
We report an 83-year-old woman receiving antiplatelet medication who presented with ARSH following a cough episode.


RESULTS
The patient was hospitalized with a diagnosis of acute chronic obstructive pulmonary disease exacerbations. During hospital stay, sudden onset abdominal pain was developed following a severe cough episode. Computed tomography of the abdomen revealed ARSH.


CONCLUSIONS
Rectus sheath hematoma is a rare and often misdiagnosed clinical condition. It is important to be considered for the diagnosis.


CONCLUSIONS
ARSH should be considered in case of development of acute abdominal pain following cough in receiving anticoagulant or antiplatelet therapy.
Department of Pulmonary Medicine and Tuberculosis, Sorgun City Hospital, Yozgat, Turkey.
I Güven
IG
Çoşğun
Yılmaz
Y
Ünal
Mustafa
M
Çetin
D000006:Abdomen, Acute / Q000209:etiology*; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D001241:Aspirin / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D003371:Cough / Q000150:complications*; D005260:Female; D006406:Hematoma / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000209:etiology* / Q000628:therapy; D006801:Humans; D010975:Platelet Aggregation Inhibitors / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D029424:Pulmonary Disease, Chronic Obstructive / Q000150:complications / Q000188:drug therapy; D017568:Rectus Abdominis
D010975:Platelet Aggregation Inhibitors; D001241:Aspirin
COPD; antiplatellet; cough; rectus sheath hematoma