Spontaneous Breast Haematoma after Heparin Anticoagulation

Heparin is commonly used in clinical practice for the prevention and treatment of various thrombotic conditions. Its use can be associated with bleeding which can range from minor to life threatening. Non-traumatic causes of breast haematoma are very rare. We report a case of spontaneous bleeding into the breast in a female patient who was anticoagulated with heparin.

Anticoagulant use can be associated with the adverse effect of bleeding at various sites.Physicians should be cautious of such bleeding which can occur at unsuspected sites.Our patient developed spontaneous breast haematoma after unfractionated heparin anticoagulation, and was successfully managed with cessation of anticoagulation, protamine, desmopressin and blood transfusion.