Clinical History
83-year-old man on Xarelto with marked right upper extremity swelling and bruising 2 weeks following right ulnar nerve transposition.
Diagnosis: Active Contained Arterial Bleed into an Organized Hematoma
Bleeding resulting in hematoma can occur as an iatrogenic complication following surgical intervention.
Ultrasound is often used to identify the hematoma and to guide aspiration for symptomatic relief.
However, ultrasound may also identify active bleeding, if present, within the hematoma, in order to guide further treatment.
In this patient, a compression dressing was applied and Xarelto was discontinued. The swelling improved on subsequent follow-up.