Hematoma – Symptoms, Complications

Transcript

Symptoms of a hematoma depend on its size and location. Pain, redness, swelling, and disfiguring bruises are common. Sometimes a mass or a lump may be reported depending on the size and location. If a hematoma involves an internal organ, then symptoms may localize to the particular organ system. Medical attention may be sought if symptoms are severe, but if the size continues to expand, large hematomas can cause pressure on the adjacent structures. For example, a large intracranial hematoma or a hematoma within the skull can cause pressure on brain structures and cause symptoms like headache, dizziness, slurring of speech or blurring of vision and even serious neurological symptoms like seizures, coma, and even death. Another example is that of a large hematoma within the spinal canal, which can cause pressure on the spinal cord and cause loss of bowel and bladder function and even paralysis. One common complication that is associated with all hematomas is the risk of infection. An infected hematoma can easily develop into an abscess and even progress to sepsis, multiorgan failure and death, if not appropriately diagnosed and treated in time.