Surgically treated rare intestinal bleeding due to submucosal hematoma in a patient on oral anticoagulant therapy: A case report

Medicine (Baltimore). 2018 Nov;97(46):e13252. doi: 10.1097/MD.0000000000013252.

Abstract

Rationale: Bleeding in the gastrointestinal tract is a common complication of oral anticoagulant therapy (AT), and it usually appears as mucosal erosion or ulcer; however, intestinal submucosal hematoma (ISH) is an uncommon cause of hemorrhage.

Patient concerns: This report presents the case of a 70-year-old woman with acute hematochezia induced by AT. She underwent computed tomography and endoscopy.

Diagnoses: Colon submucosal hematoma.

Interventions: Conservative treatment had no effect, and the patient underwent emergency surgery.

Outcomes: Surgical resection showed hemorrhage and necrosis in the left colon, and the patient recovered 24 hours after surgery and continued AT.

Lessons: The present case indicates that the ISH should be kept in mind as a complication of AT. It can be managed conservatively in some stable patients, but emergency surgery may be needed in some serious situations.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Aged
  • Anticoagulants / adverse effects*
  • Colon / surgery
  • Colonic Diseases / chemically induced
  • Colonic Diseases / surgery*
  • Female
  • Gastrointestinal Hemorrhage / chemically induced
  • Gastrointestinal Hemorrhage / surgery*
  • Hematoma / chemically induced
  • Hematoma / surgery*
  • Humans
  • Intestinal Mucosa / surgery

Substances

  • Anticoagulants