Anticoagulant induced intramural duodenal hematoma presenting as duodenal obstruction

An intramural hematoma of the duodenum was first reported in an article in the Lancet in 1838. At least, 90% of cases are caused by blunt abdominal trauma, typically accidents involving bicycles or motor vehicles. Intramural duodenal hematoma is a rare complication of anticoagulant therapy. It occurs in patients who receive excessive anticoagutation with warfarin or who have some other risk factor for bleeding. CT characteristics include circumferential wall thickening, intramural hyperdensity, luminal narrowing, and intestinal obstruction. Early diagnosis is crucial because most patients are treated nonoperatively with a good outcome. (c) 2008 Elsevier Masson SAS. Tous droits reserves.