| Ecchymosis | |
|---|---|
| Classification and external resources | |
| ICD-9 | 459.89, 782.7 |
| MeSH | D004438 |
- This article is about the medical term. For the Colombian band see Ekhymosis
An ecchymosis (pronounced /ˌɛk.ɪˈmoʊ.sɪs/, from the Ancient Greek ἐκχύμωσις from ἐκ, out + χέω, I pour) is the medical term for a subcutaneous hematoma larger than 1 centimeter, commonly called a bruise. It can be located both in the skin as well as in a mucous membrane.
Presentation
After local trauma, red blood cells are phagocytosed and degraded by macrophages. The blue-red color is produced by the enzymatic conversion of hemoglobin into bilirubin, which is more blue-green. The bilirubin is then converted into hemosiderin, a golden brown color, which accounts for the color changes of the bruise.[1]
Hematomas can be subdivided by size. By definition, ecchymoses are 1 to 2 cm in size and are therefore larger than petechia (1-2 mm) and purpura (>3 mm).[1] They also have a more diffuse border than purpura.[2]
See also
References
- ^ a b Robbins and Cotran, Pathologic basis of Disease 8th edition, pp. 114
- ^ "Case Based Pediatrics Chapter". http://www.hawaii.edu/medicine/pediatrics/pedtext/s16c03.html. Retrieved 2009-01-08.
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