Overlooked complication of anticoagulant therapy: The intramural small bowel hematoma—A case report

INTRODUCTION: Intramural small bowel hematoma is a rare, and often overlooked consequence of anticoagulant therapy. In this report we present such a case in order to bring forth awareness to this entity, and its management. PRESENTATION OF CASE: We report a 81-year old male who presented with abdominal pain for 2 days. He had been under anticoagulant therapy with warfarin for 9 years, presenting with an elevated INR of 6,2. Intramural small bowel hematoma was confirmed with abdominal ultrasound and CT scan. The patient was treated conservatively with anticoagulant suspension and administration of antidote, and was subsequently discharged after 6 days. DISCUSSION: Abdominal complaints and an elevated INR value point to the possible diagnosis of intramural small bowel hematoma, however these abdominal symptoms can vary between a mild pain and an established acute abdomen. CT scan showing symmetric bowel thickening associated with some luminal narrowing confirms the diagnosis. In terms of management, there are not sufficient papers to support a standardized treatment; currently the most accepted approach seems to be conservative treatment after the exclusion of complications that would call for surgery. CONCLUSION: Anticoagulant therapy is becoming a widespread prescription as the population ages, and intramural small bowel hematoma is one consequence in need of consideration