title: Spontaneous rupture of the uterine vessels in pregnancy.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Hemoperitoneum resulting from spontaneous rupture of the uterine vessels in pregnancy is rare and associated with high maternal and fetal mortality.
  
  
  METHODS
  A woman presented with acute abdominal pain and hypovolemic shock at 20 weeks of gestation. Immediate laparotomy revealed massive hemoperitoneum resulting from spontaneous rupture of the left uterine vessels associated with a left adnexal mass consisting of decidualized endometriosis. The fetus was delivered by hysterotomy, hemostasis was achieved, and the woman made a good recovery.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  We report a case of hemoperitoneum in pregnancy that resulted from spontaneous rupture of the uterine vessels associated with decidualized endometriosis.
authors.affiliation: Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Great Western Hospital, Swindon, United Kingdom.
authors.forename: Uzma
authors.initials: U
authors.lastname: Aziz
authors.forename: Aparna
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Kulkarni
authors.forename: Anapurna
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Kulkarni
authors.forename: Darko
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Lazic
authors.forename: John E
authors.initials: JE
authors.lastname: Cullimore
mesh_terms: D000291:Adnexal Diseases / Q000150:complications; D000328:Adult; D001808:Blood Vessels / Q000473:pathology*; D004715:Endometriosis / Q000150:complications; D005260:Female; D006465:Hemoperitoneum / Q000209:etiology*; D006801:Humans; D011247:Pregnancy; D011249:Pregnancy Complications, Cardiovascular / Q000209:etiology*; D012422:Rupture, Spontaneous; D014599:Uterus / Q000098:blood supply*