Rectus Sheath Hematoma Due to Low Molecular Weight Heparin in a COVID-19 Patient in Turkey

This case report presents a large left rectus sheath hematoma (RSH) case developed in a COVID-19 patient who had received no anticoagulant therapy before hospital admission. It discusses the patient’s diagnosis and treatment process. A 78-year-old woman was admitted to the ED with acute cough and shortness of breath. On CT scan, the pulmonary findings were consistent with COVID-19 pneumonia. Subcutaneous enoxaparin sodium was started to the patient, in accordance with the COVID-19 treatment guidelines applied in Turkey. On the ninth day after admission, her hemoglobin level decreased to 7.3 g/dL. At that point, her blood pressure was 84/52 mmHg, and her heart rate was 120 beats/min. There was a mass in the left lower quadrant( )on the physical exam. CT examination of the abdomen and pelvis showed a left inferior RSH approximately 9 cm wide. Enoxaparin sodium was stopped. Vital signs monitoring and fluid replacement were begun. One week after the diagnosis of RSH, a CT of the abdomen and pelvis was performed. The scan showed no significant increase in the size of the hematoma. On the 18(th) day after admission, the patient was discharged because her hemoglobin value, which was 10.2 g/dL at that point, had not decreased, her vital signs were stable, and her treatment for COVID-19 was completed. From the moment of diagnosis to discharge, the patient required no interventional or surgical procedures.