Hemoperitoneum

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Hemoperitoneum is the presence of blood in the peritoneal cavity. The blood accumulates in the space between the inner lining of the abdominal wall and the internal abdominal organs. Depending on the degree of blood loss, and how rapidly the blood is lost, a hemoperitoneum may be an emergency situation.

[edit] Causes

Causes of hemoperitoneum include:

• Traumatic injuries
• Intra-abdominal tumors
• Peritoneal carcinomatosis
• Hematomas
• Coagulopathies
• Tuberculous peritonitits
• Rupture of intra-abdominal varices

[edit] Diagnosis

Hemoperitoneum can be reliably diagnosed with the following examinations:

• Focused assessment with sonography for trauma (FAST)
• Paracentesis or Diagnostic peritoneal lavage
• Computed tomography
• Diagnostic laparoscopy