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 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. Indeed in some cases this can be fatal due to the associated coagulopathy of chronic licverliver disease.
-<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>- +<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 liver disease.</p>
Presentation
was changed:
Incidental finding in a patient with sudden, severe abdominal pain.
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