Trauma in the elderly: a bilateral rectus sheath haematoma

Area of Science:

• Geriatric Medicine
• Trauma Surgery
• Emergency Medicine

Background:

• Aging populations present increased clinical complexity in emergency departments.
• Older adults are at higher risk for conditions like rectus sheath hematoma (RSH) following trauma.
• Chronic diseases, comorbidities, and anticoagulation use in the elderly can complicate diagnoses.

Observation:

• This case report details a rare instance of bilateral rectus sheath hematoma (RSH) in an elderly woman.
• The RSH occurred following a fall, illustrating the potential for seemingly minor trauma to cause significant injury in older individuals.
• Bilateral RSH is exceptionally rare, with only 12 cases reported in the literature since 1981.

Findings:

• The patient presented with bilateral rectus sheath hematoma after a fall.
• Diagnosis was challenging due to the patient's age and comorbidities.
• The case underscores the potential severity of trauma in the elderly.

Implications:

• Healthcare providers must recalibrate clinical practices for elderly trauma patients.
• Increased vigilance is needed for diagnosing rare conditions like bilateral RSH in older adults.
• This case emphasizes the critical need for tailored geriatric trauma care protocols.