A Case of Severe Cough-induced Abdominal Wall Hematoma

심한 기침에 의해 발생한 복벽 혈종 1예

Severe cough may contribute to serious complications such as pneumothorax, pneumomediastinum, rib fracture, subconjunctival hemorrhage, subdural hemorrhage and cough syncope. However abdominal wall hematoma is a rare complication. Because it usually presents with abdomianal pain, abdominal wall hematoma needs to be differentiated from the acute surgical abdomen. A 78-year old woman was admitted with right lower quadrant abdominal pain and a palpable mass for several days. She experienced abdominal pain after violent coughing associated with an upper respiratory tract infection. Abdominal computed tomography revealed an approximately $7{\times}4cm$ sized, ill-defined, soft tissue density lesion in the right lower posterolateral abdominal wall. An abdominal wall hematoma was diagnosed. After admission, she had persistent right lower abdominal pain and an increasing mass. The mass was surgically removed and she was discharged without complications. In summary, when a patient complains of abdominal pain after severe coughing, an abdominal wall hematoma as a differential diagnosis must be considered.

상기도 감염으로 인한 발작성 기침 후 복벽 혈종을 보인 1예를 보고하였다. 복벽 혈종은 수술을 요하는 급성 복증과 감별하여야하는 질환으로, 심한 기침 후 복동이 발생한 경우 반드시 복벽 혈종을 고려하여야하며, 필요한 경우 초음파 검사나 전산화단층촬영을 시행하여 불필요한 수술을 피해야한다.