J Korean Soc Emerg Med.  2023 Dec;34(6):631-635.

A case of internal oblique muscle tear diagnosed by point-of-care ultrasound in a patient who presented to the emergency department with suspected acute appendicitis

• Koh CY

Abstract

Acute abdominal pain is a common emergency department complaint, with a myriad of potential causes often leading to misdiagnoses. Among these, internal oblique muscle tears have a rare etiology. This paper reports the case of a 34-yearold male presenting with right lower quadrant pain. Point-of-care ultrasound (POCUS) revealed a heterogeneous mass within his right internal oblique muscle, indicative of a hematoma. This finding, coupled with the patient’s history, led to the diagnosis of an internal oblique muscle tear. The patient responded well to conservative management. This case underscores the importance of comprehensive history-taking and POCUS in correctly diagnosing unusual causes of acute abdominal pain, such as abdominal muscle injuries.

Keyword

Abdominal pain; Internal oblique muscle; Point-of-care testing; Ultrasonography