A 41-year-old female with a previous history of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and polycythemia presented to the emergency department with worsening shortness of breath and cough which progressed to respiratory distress requiring mechanical ventilation. During her hospital stay, she developed abdominal distention followed by a fever and a four-point decrease in hemoglobin. A non-contrasted abdominopelvic CT scan was ordered which showed a very large retroperitoneal hematoma adjacent to the right colon with subtle active bleeding. Selective angioembolization of a distal segment of the right colic artery was performed by Interventional Radiology (IR) to achieve hemostasis and hemodynamic stability. Due to the persistent and worsening abdominal distention, a CT scan with contrast was ordered which clearly showed a submucosal hematoma in the region of the right colon extending from the hepatic flexure to the cecum. The hematoma was completely obstructing the proximal and mid ascending colon leading to a large bowel obstruction. Exploration of the abdomen showed severe bowel dilation, and frank ischemia of the hepatic flexure of the colon. Right hemicolectomy with primary ileocolonic anastomosis to evacuate the right retroperitoneal hematoma was subsequently performed. The patient was discharged on post-operative day 16 with no major complications.
Keywords: abdominopelvic computed tomography; exploratory laparotomy; large bowel obstruction; right hemicolectomy; submucosal hematoma.
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