title: Postpartum diffuse calcification of the myometrium.
abstract: An apparently unique case of diffuse calcification of the myometrium occurring in the puerperum in a 24-year-old woman is reported. Vaginal delivery by forceps of a healthy baby was followed by septic shock and massive postpartum hemorrhage, necessitating hysterectomy 4 weeks later. Examination of the uterus revealed widespread calcification of myometrial fibres. It is speculated that this widespread phenomenon represents dystrophic calcification secondary to myometrial necrosis and is a hitherto undescribed cause or complication of massive postpartum hemorrhage.
authors.affiliation: Department of Pathology, Royal Group of Hospitals, Belfast, Northern Ireland.
authors.forename: W G
authors.initials: WG
authors.lastname: McCluggage
authors.forename: J M
authors.initials: JM
authors.lastname: Sloan
authors.forename: A I
authors.initials: AI
authors.lastname: Traub
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D002114:Calcinosis / Q000473:pathology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007047:Hysterosalpingography; D009215:Myometrium / Q000473:pathology*; D006473:Postpartum Hemorrhage; D049590:Postpartum Period; D011247:Pregnancy; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed