A hepatic hematoma is an accumulation of blood in the liver tissue. Hepatic refers to the liver. A hematoma occurs when blood pools in an area, usually due to trauma or some type of injury. Since the liver is one of the largest organs in the body, it may be affected more frequently than a smaller organ, especially in the case of an injury from an accident. A properly working liver is necessary for life as it has several functions but primarily cleans out toxins in the body. If you suspect an injury to your liver, it is important to seek medical attention.
Signs and symptoms of a hepatic hematoma indicate the need for close monitoring. In some cases, the hematoma in the liver may be small enough that symptoms are barely noticeable. However, if there is any reason for concern that symptoms may be from some type of liver injury, it is important to see a healthcare professional. The following are signs and symptoms of a hepatic hematoma:
A hepatic hematoma is usually caused by blunt trauma to the liver area and rarely from spontaneous bleeding. The force from some kind of trauma to the liver causes damage to the walls of the blood vessels. If the damage is severe enough, it causes blood to leak and pool into an area where tissue has been lacerated or torn, forming a hematoma. The hematoma can vary from being small and hardly noticeable to becoming large creating a risk of haemorrhaging or bursting, which is a medical emergency. The following are some causes and risk factors of a hepatic hematoma:
A hepatic hematoma is diagnosed through imaging that can indicate or rule out bleeding or haemorrhaging. An ultrasound is often sufficient to rule out any liver issues. If there is more cause for concern, your healthcare provider may order additional imaging, such as a CT scan or an MRI, as these scans may give a larger view to indicate any possible complications.
The treatment protocol for a hepatic hematoma may vary depending on the severity or the size of the hematoma. The treatment protocol may also vary from one healthcare provider to another. If the hematoma is considered small and the risk of rupturing seems less than the risk of disturbing it and causing haemorrhaging, your healthcare provider may advise leaving it undisturbed but continuing to closely monitor the condition.
If the hematoma is large, causing lots of discomfort and pain, and certainly if it has ruptured, the condition is serious and becomes a medical emergency. Surgery will be required to stop the cause of the bleeding. Blood work will be ordered to continually monitor labs and IV fluids and provide information to the healthcare professional whether a blood transfusion is necessary to replace volume lost due to the haemorrhaging. If there are any concerns or complications, it is best to follow the advice of a healthcare professional.