RECTUS SHEATH HAEMATOMA IN PREGNANCY MASQUERADING AS DEGENERATING UTERINE FIBROID

Abstract

Rectus sheath haematoma is an uncommon
condition characterized by acute
abdominal pain and the appearance of
an abdominal wall mass which leads to
diagnostic dilemma in pregnant women.
Here a case report of a 32 years old patient,
a G4P3L3, a post caesarean pregnancy
with 28 weeks gestation who presented
with painless bleeding per vaginum.
After stabilisation and sonological
evaluation she was diagnosed as a case
of placenta praevia with degenerating
fibroid and was managed conservatively.
Emergency Caesarean Section was performed
for uncontrolled bleeding per
vaginum at 32 weeks which revealed a
20x30 cm rectus sheath haematoma in
the anterior abdominal wall. Mother recovered
well. Both mother and child were
discharged in good health. Rectus
sheath haematoma can mimic many
other clinical conditions and high index of
suspicion should be maintained by the
clinician to identify this highly masquerading
and potentially manageable entity.