[Rectus sheath hematoma: a rarely diagnosed complication of anticoagulation therapy]

Anticoagulation therapy with vitamin K antagonist (VKA) or heparin, even properly applied, may lead to occurrence of differently localized hematomas, including rectus sheath hematoma (RSH). This uncommon complication of anticoagulation is often misdiagnosed. In the presented case of a 72-year-old man, with a history of VKA use for permanent atrial fibrillation, an additional factor which might predispose to RSH formation was intensive cough during respiratory tract infection. Hematoma was detected with delay on abdominal ultrasonography and visualized topographically on computed tomography Conservative treatment was performed. During a 5-month period, gradual reabsorption of RSH was observed on control ultrasonography examinations.