Child admitted with a scrotal haematoma, discharged with coarctation of the aorta.

Abstract

A male child in middle childhood (6-11 years) was admitted to the paediatric ward under the care of the surgical team following a scrotal injury sustained during a football game 4 days earlier. His blood pressure (BP) was noted to be elevated during his admission, which triggered reviews and further investigations. It was initially felt that the pain, due to a scrotal haematoma, was the cause of his hypertension. However, the continued vigilance and persistence of the nursing staff led to a further opinion being sought. This led to the clinical suspicion and later confirmed diagnosis of coarctation of the aorta.