Caput medusa
Diagnosis certain
Updates to Case Attributes
Body
was changed:
Caput medusa (head of Medusa with multiple serpent-like veins in the umbilicus) reflects postalportal hypertension with the umbilicus being the end point for the recanalized paraumbilical vein (in this case highlighted by the fat containing umbilical hernia). These veins are at higher pressure than normal thus are prone to haemorrhage with minimal trauma indeed in some cases this can be fatal due to the associated coagulopathy of chronic licver disease.
-<p>Caput medusa (head of Medusa with multiple serpent-like veins) reflects postal hypertension with the umbilicus being the end point for the recanalized paraumbilical vein (in this case highlighted by the fat containing umbilical hernia).</p>- +<p>Caput medusa (head of Medusa with multiple serpent-like veins in the umbilicus) reflects portal hypertension with the umbilicus being the end point for the recanalized paraumbilical vein (in this case highlighted by the fat containing umbilical hernia). These veins are at higher pressure than normal thus are prone to haemorrhage with minimal trauma indeed in some cases this can be fatal due to the associated coagulopathy of chronic licver disease.</p>
References changed:
- 1. Bott E, O'Donnell C, Burke M. Post mortem CT demonstration of hemoperitoneum caused by rupture of a paraumbilical vein into a paraumbilical hernia in a man with liver cirrhosis and portal hypertension. Forensic science, medicine, and pathology. 9 (1): 77-81. <a href="https://doi.org/10.1007/s12024-012-9384-4">doi:10.1007/s12024-012-9384-4</a> - <a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/23055059">Pubmed</a> <span class="ref_v4"></span>