Hemorrhagic episodes in hemophiliacs simulating abdominal surgical emergencies

Abstract

Hemophiliacs are subjected to develop episodes of spontaneous bleeding at different sites of the body, primarily the knees. On occasions, such episodes affect the abdomen. The picture engendered in such cases may mimic that of an abdominal emergency requiring surgical intervention. Such ill advised and unwarranted intervention may end with the patient's death. With the proper employment of radiology, the correct diagnosis may be reached and consequently, conservative treatment, in which factor VIII plays the major role, instituted. Here, we describe the clinical course of 2 patients with hemophilia A who suffered bleeding in the abdomen and were treated conservatively with a successful outcome.