Safety of sonographically guided aspiration of intramuscular, bursal, articular and subcutaneous hematomas

Abstract Objective To evaluate the safety and efficacy of sonographically guided aspiration of intramuscular, bursal and subcutaneous hematomas. Materials and methods One hundred eleven interventions were performed in 75 patients at a single institution from January 2005 to December 2009. In all cases the target of interest was identified with ultrasonography. Results Ninety-six procedures (87.3%) were successful, 14 procedures (12.7%) were unsuccessful due to excessive density and/or viscosity of the content. No significant complications were encountered during or immediately after any procedure. Clinical follow-up records were available for 73 (75%) procedures in 45 (66%) patients, 30 patients did not return for follow-up after hematoma evacuation. No septic or hemorrhagic complications or cases of neurovascular compromise were recorded. Conclusions Sonographically guided hematoma evacuation is a safe procedure. However, the proportion of unsuccessful evacuations and hematoma recurrence is substantial.