Intramural Hematoma of the Duodenum

THE EXTRAVASATION of blood into the wall of the duodenum is an uncommon consequence of blunt abdominal trauma. Although fewer than 75 cases of symptomatic duodenal hematomas are recorded in the world literature,2-53,55all but 12 were encountered during the past decade. Further evidence of a recent and striking increase in incidence is the present report on nine patients seen at Cook County Hospital, Chicago, during the past six years. This is the largest reported series of intramural hematomas of the duodenum and suggests the need for greater understanding of the diverse clinical radiologic and pathologic features of this condition. Pathogenesis Most, if not all duodenal hematomas are the result of trauma. A variety of forces, often mild in intensity, have been implicated in the development of intestinal injury. Studies by Williams and Sargent53suggest that a compression of the wall caught between two opposing surfaces is the