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DOI: 10.1055/s-0041-1728970
Spontaneous Retroperitoneal Hematoma in COVID-19 Severe Pneumonia–Dual-phase Multidetector Computed Tomography Angiogram and Role of Radiologist
Abstract
Studies available in the literature have shown alterations in blood coagulation tests in severe cases of COVID-19 pneumonia, with a significant risk of venous thromboembolism (VTE). Since microvascular thrombosis is a well-known fact in COVID-19 disease, requiring therapeutic anticoagulation, low-molecular weight heparin (LMWH) in prophylactic dose is a part of the clinical management of hospitalized COVID-19 patients. In this scenario, we describe three cases of abdominal spontaneous retroperitoneal hematoma (SRH) in hospitalized reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR)-confirmed COVID-19 patients.
Introduction
Severe acute respiratory syndrome Coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) was initially reported to affect the respiratory system, with severe cases causing acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS), leading to multiorgan failure and death. As the pandemic grew, multiple reports emerged where patients with moderate-to-severe COVID-19 presented with alterations in blood coagulation profile and increased risk of thromboembolic phenomenon.[1] Low-molecular weight heparin (LMWH) was used prophylactically and therapeutically for the management of such patients. One of the recognized complications of LMWH is spontaneous extraperitoneal hemorrhage (SEH) or spontaneous retroperitoneal hemorrhage (SRH). We describe the clinical details and management strategy of three COVID-19 patients below, presenting as SEH or SRH.
Case 1
A 63-year-old Indian gentleman with severe COVID-19 pulmonary manifestation was on invasive mechanical ventilation in ICU for hypoxia (arterial PO2 74%). Anticoagulant (subcutaneous LMWH 0.5 mg/kg body weight per day) in prophylactic dose was administered in addition to other drugs as per the Ministry of Health protocol for serious COVID-19 patients. The patient developed abdominal distention 1 week after his admission. His hemoglobin level dropped from 14.1 to 7.2 mg/dL.
A contrast-enhanced computed tomography (CECT) revealed a large abdominopelvic hematoma on the left side with active contrast extravasation ( [Fig. 1] ). It was decided to treat endovascularly. On angiography through right femoral access, an active contrast extravasation was seen from a branch of the anterior division of the left internal iliac artery, assumed to be obturator artery. Selective cannulation was done with a 2.8 F Progreat microcatheter (Terumo; Somerset, New Jersey, USA). Embolization of the artery was performed with 2 to 4 mm diameter 0.018” coils (Cook Medical, Bloomington, Indiana, United States) successfully ( [Fig. 1] ). The hemoglobin values were stable during immediate postprocedure period. However, he succumbed due to cardiac arrest 3 days later.
Case 2
A 57-year-old Kuwaiti lady presented with complaints of fever, cough, and vomiting. Screening for COVID-19 was positive. The treatment protocol with other medications included a prophylactic dose of anticoagulant (subcutaneous LMWH 0.5 mg/kg body weight per day). On the sixth day after admission, she complained of severe abdominal pain with a sudden drop of serum hemoglobin level from 12 to 9 mg/dL.
A CECT revealed a large extraperitoneal abdominopelvic hematoma on the left side ( [Fig. 2] ). A diagnostic angiography revealed contrast extravasation from the left 3rd lumbar artery. Superselective catheterization with embolization of the bleeding artery was done with gel foam ( [Fig. 2] ). She had an uneventful recovery.
Case 3
A 63-year-old Kuwaiti gentleman presented with complaints of shortness of breath and cough with stable vital parameters and arterial PO2 95% on room air. He was diagnosed to have COVID-19.
LMWH 0.5 mg/kg body weight per day was administered subcutaneously. He complained of severe abdominal pain on the third day of his admission. He had abdominal distention, tachypnea with a drop in systolic blood pressure to 70 mmHg. The hemoglobin level dropped from 15 to 8.9 g/dL.
CECT revealed thickened edematous left psoas muscle and adjoining large extraperitoneal hematoma extending to the left anterolateral abdominal wall ( [Fig. 3] ). Contrast extravasation was seen from the left 4th lumbar artery, which was successfully embolized with coils, ([Fig. 3]) similar to case 1. He gradually improved and was discharged from the hospital after a week.
Discussion
Spontaneous intramuscular bleeding in COVID-19 patients is likely to be multifactorial. Such hematomas are a known complication of LMWH therapy.[2] Cough, a common symptom of COVID-19 pneumonia, may increase intra-abdominal pressure, resulting in arterial rupture.[3] Invasive ventilation with continuous positive pressure ventilation (CPAP) is also likely to increase intra-abdominal pressure.[4] Retroperitoneal hemorrhage has also been described as a rare and severe complication in patients undergoing extracorporeal membrane oxygenation.[5] Early suspicion by clinical evaluation, confirmation by CECT scan, and endovascular embolization may be life-saving in these scenarios.
Conclusion
Severe COVID-19 pneumonia patients are treated with prophylactic or higher doses of LMWH. SEH may be suspected in patients with sudden localized pain and drop in hematocrit. CECT is the imaging of choice to localize the site of bleeding and plan the endovascular treatment. Embolization in such patients is safe and effective.
Conflict of Interest
None declared.
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References:
- 1 Xiong M, Liang X, Wei Y-D. Changes in blood coagulation in patients with severe coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19): a meta-analysis. Br J Haematol 2020; 1 89 (06) 1050-1052
- 2 Chung KT. Intra-abdominal hematoma following enoxaparin injection. Clin Med Insights Case Rep 2016; 9: 35-38
- 3 Jang JY, Lim YS, Woo JH, Jang JH. Spontaneous rupture of intercostal artery after severe cough. Am J Emerg Med 2015; 3 3 (01) 131.e1-131.e3
- 4 Yam LY, Chen RC, Zhong NS. SARS: ventilatory and intensive care. Respirology 2003; 8(Suppl) S31-S35
- 5 Zhang J, He X, Hu J, Li T. Retroperitoneal hemorrhage during veno-venous extracorporeal membrane oxygenation in COVID-19 Patients: clinical experience and review of literature. Research Square 2020; . Doi:
Address for correspondence
Publikationsverlauf
Artikel online veröffentlicht:
14. Juni 2021
© 2021. Indian Society of Vascular and Interventional Radiology. This is an open access article published by Thieme under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution-NonDerivative-NonCommercial-License, permitting copying and reproduction so long as the original work is given appropriate credit. Contents may not be used for commercial purposes, or adapted, remixed, transformed or built upon. (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0/).
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References:
- 1 Xiong M, Liang X, Wei Y-D. Changes in blood coagulation in patients with severe coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19): a meta-analysis. Br J Haematol 2020; 1 89 (06) 1050-1052
- 2 Chung KT. Intra-abdominal hematoma following enoxaparin injection. Clin Med Insights Case Rep 2016; 9: 35-38
- 3 Jang JY, Lim YS, Woo JH, Jang JH. Spontaneous rupture of intercostal artery after severe cough. Am J Emerg Med 2015; 3 3 (01) 131.e1-131.e3
- 4 Yam LY, Chen RC, Zhong NS. SARS: ventilatory and intensive care. Respirology 2003; 8(Suppl) S31-S35
- 5 Zhang J, He X, Hu J, Li T. Retroperitoneal hemorrhage during veno-venous extracorporeal membrane oxygenation in COVID-19 Patients: clinical experience and review of literature. Research Square 2020; . Doi: