Haematomas (alternative plural: haematomata) are the name given to localised collections of blood and they can form virtually anywhere in the body. They often form secondary to trauma or surgery but spontaneous formation is also not uncommon, especially in those with coagulation disorders or on anticoagulant therapy.
Haematomas may be hyperacute to chronic in duration and therefore their internal contents will vary from fresh haemorrhage to chronic haemoglobin degradation products (i.e. haemosiderin and ferritin) and are often a mixture of differently aged components. The physical consistency of the collection may also vary from a hyperacute purely liquid collection to a chronic solidified mass-like state, but often a mixed cystic-solid state.
Haematomas are usually sterile when first formed and the majority remain uninfected. However, superinfection is seen forming a haemorrhagic abscess and is one of the well-recognised complications, and therefore risks, of draining a haematoma.
Specific haematomas
lower extremity haematoma
History and etymology
Haematoma ultimately derives from Ancient Greek roots. "Haemato-" is from the Ancient Greek "αιμα" (haima) meaning blood. The suffix "-oma" is ultimately from the Ancient Greek word "ωμα" (oma), meaning process/action, but as a suffix is used in pathology to indicate a mass, both benign and malignant.
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