Hepatic rupture secondary to pre-eclampsia--report of a case treated conservatively.
Hepatic rupture during pregnancy is related to toxaemia and is most often fatal. Epigastric pain and signs of intra-abdominal bleeding are the most common presenting symptoms. In previous reports liver surgery has been considered the method of choice in all patients. However, we have successfully treated a patient with bilateral hepatic rupture and intra-thoracic bleeding with termination of the pregnancy but otherwise conservative measures. The importance of early diagnosis, by ultrasonography and/or explorative laparotomy, and early termination of the pregnancy is stressed. Also, it is suggested that liver surgery should be individually tailored and that it is preferably avoided in some patients.
D000328:Adult; D000792:Angiography; D002585:Cesarean Section; D003131:Combined Modality Therapy; D005260:Female; D006471:Gastrointestinal Hemorrhage / Q000209:etiology* / Q000628:therapy; D006801:Humans; D008107:Liver Diseases / Q000209:etiology* / Q000628:therapy; D011225:Pre-Eclampsia / Q000150:complications*; D011247:Pregnancy; D012422:Rupture, Spontaneous; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed