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How Can A Bruise On The Abdomen Be Treated?

Posted on Wed, 24 May 2017

Question: I was sleep walking and woke up with a huge bruise on my abdomen, parallel to my naval but to the right. I'm guessing that I walked into something or fell. Once the discoloration from the bruising went away, I was able to feel a small hard lump, about the size of a kidney bean. It has been a little over two weeks since the initial bruise. I am concerned that I now have a hernia. The lump has gotten a little smaller, it is now just a little bigger than a pea, but I read that hernia lumps can decrease and increase in size. I can't push it back in, there is no pain, and it is not visible. It kind of feels like fatty tissue lumps found in the breast, one of those lumps, but its new as far as I know. When I suck in my stomach its easier to feel. It does not seem to be affected by coughing or sneezing, it stays the same. If l pull my stomach fat up I can't find it anymore, so I'm not sure what that means. What could this lump possibly be? It is a hernia? I do have an appointment with my doctor but it's not for two weeks.

Answered by Dr. Dr Manjunath Metri (1 hour later)

Brief Answer:
Do not worry XXXXXXX it's not likely to be hernia..

Detailed Answer:
Hello XXXXXXX welcome to HealthcareMagic..
I am Dr. Manjunath...
I thank you for posting your query here and I'm definitely going to help you out..

I being a surgeon, we encounter so many such cases.
I read your question completely and have understood it well enough.

I will analyze all your points and provide necessary explanation and how to go about.

1. Considering your age and the fact that the swelling appeared after trauma, it is highly unlikely that it could be hernia.
Yes.. Hernia is relatively less common in females.

2. And you say, it does not get affected by cough or sneeze.
Let me tell you, classical finding in a case of hernia is something called as cough impulse.
Unless it's obstructed.
Hence, most likely it's not a hernia.

3. Hernias won't feel hard.
Yes, at any stage hernia generally are soft to firm and not hard.

4. Hernia can increase but generally does not decrease in size.
The fact that your swelling is decreasing, it means it could be a hematoma following trauma and it can be
A. Hard
B. Stay same while coughing or exerting pressure
C. Reduce in size.

5. Yes..
I strongly feel its a collection of blood post trauma that you had. Hematoma.

6. Please note how to go about..
A. Do not panic. It's not a major problem
B. Abdominal wall hematoma can be self healing in most of the times
C. Suggest soft tissue scan before you meet your doctor, this will tell us what exactly it is.
D. FNAC of the swelling, if possible.

Hope this helps you, in case you need further assistance, please let me know.
I will be happy to help you.
Take care XXXXXXX and God bless.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Arnab Banerjee

Follow up: Dr. Dr Manjunath Metri (5 minutes later)

There's no more discoloration. I thought as long as a hematoma was there, there would be discoloration?

Answered by Dr. Dr Manjunath Metri (11 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
Not necessarily XXXXXXX .

Detailed Answer:
Hi XXXXXXX thank you for getting back..
XXXXXXX not necessarily all hematoma will be maintaining the discoloration.
The skin may look normal like before but still can have a blood clot inside.

So, I suggest to you get a soft tissue ultrasound scan, this will clear your worry.

Hope this helps you..
In case you have any further queries, feel free to ask.
I will be happy to help you.
Take care.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Arnab Banerjee

Follow up: Dr. Dr Manjunath Metri (19 hours later)

It kind of feels like fatty tissue, if that makes sense. Like the lumps felt in fatty areas of the body. Is this what a hematoma feels like? Could the lump be cancer? Sorry, I'm just very nervous

Answered by Dr. Dr Manjunath Metri (6 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
No, don't worry, not cancer.

Detailed Answer:
Hello XXXXXXX welcome back.
Thank you for posting your doubts.
Happy to help.

Let me tell you these following things...

1. The fatty tissue could be a lipoma which is called universal tumor, a benign one. Not cancer.

Or, also, as I said over a period of time, the hematoma can also change consistency.
Initially hard and then firm and slowly fatty kind of feel.
And even hematoma is not cancer.

2. Absolutely no need to worry XXXXXXX
Please follow as I have already advised.

Scan and FNAC of the swelling...
You will know the definitive diagnosis as well as reality by yourself...

Hope I have answered your questions.
In case you need further assistance, please let me know.
Take care.

Note: For further inquiries on surgery procedure and its risks or complications book an appointment now

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Arnab Banerjee