Anticoagulation-induced spontaneous intramural small bowel haematomas

BMJ Case Rep. 2013 Jun 3:2013:bcr2013008831. doi: 10.1136/bcr-2013-008831.

Abstract

Small intestinal intramural haematomas may develop spontaneously, especially in patients with deranged clotting function. We present a case of a 57-year-old man who developed abdominal pain in the setting of abnormal clotting function secondary to an inadvertent warfarin overdose. A CT scan showed thickening of parts of the distal ileum, terminal ileum and duodenum. Dilation of the small bowel proximal to the thickening was also reported, indicative of a degree of small bowel obstruction. The patient was treated conservatively with a nasogastric tube and intravenous fluids. His anticoagulation was fully reversed with fresh frozen plasma and vitamin K. The patient remained well 6 months following discharge, with well-controlled anticoagulation levels and resolution of the findings on CT.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Anticoagulants / adverse effects*
  • Hematoma / chemically induced*
  • Hematoma / diagnostic imaging
  • Humans
  • Intestine, Small / blood supply*
  • Intestine, Small / diagnostic imaging
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Tomography, X-Ray Computed

Substances

  • Anticoagulants