[Spontaneous hematoma of the musculus rectus sheath]

Spontaneous haematoma of the musculus rectus is a rare event and can lead to a clinical picture comparable to what is seen in acute abdomen, thus posing a differential diagnosis problem. Three personally observed cases are reported, stress being laid on the fact that echography, in the light of clinical and laboratory data, made correct diagnosis possible. On the basis of clinical and echographic findings, one patient was subjected to surgical treatment and the others to conservative medical treatment because of the small dimensions of haematoma.