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Haematoma

A haematoma is a collection of blood in tissue under the skin or in an internal organ due to injury to the tissue or organ, or to an abnormal bleeding tendency.

The symptoms depend on the site of the haematoma. If a person is kicked in the leg, there may be a haematoma in the underlying muscle, with a firm, tender swelling at that site, usually with overlying bruising, and pain if the affected muscle is used. If deeper organs in the body (eg. liver, kidney, brain) are involved, there may be discomfort around that organ, vague bruising at the site of injury and signs of damage to the organ (eg. blood in the urine with kidney injury, unconscious from brain injury). Pressure on the affected organ may affect its function, and serious consequences can result from subdural haematomas within the skull putting pressure on the brain. Persistent soreness and a lump of scar tissue may occur with muscular haematomas.

An ultrasound scan of muscles in the arms or legs, or organs within the abdomen, can show a haematoma. Within the skull, a CT scan is necessary. Blood tests for a bleeding disorder may be performed if there is no obvious injury to cause the haematoma.

Smaller haematomas are slowly removed as the body gradually destroys the blood collection over weeks or months. Larger haematomas may need to be surgically removed or drained, particularly if they occur within the skull.