title: Spontaneous rupture of the liver following a normal pregnancy and delivery.
abstract: Liver haematoma and rupture is a rare but potentially devastating complication of pregnancy. The majority of cases are associated with severe preeclampsia. We report a case of spontaneous hepatic rupture in a 39-year old woman following a normal pregnancy and delivery. Shoulder tip pain and serum haemoglobin of 6.8 prompted immediate imaging with computed tomography. A large subcapsular haematoma involving the right lobe of the liver was identified and managed conservatively. This diagnosis should be considered in the patient who presents with pain in the upper part of the abdomen and signs of haemorrhagic shock, even in the case of an uncomplicated pregnancy.
authors.affiliation: Department of Surgery, Our Lady of Lourdes Hospital, Drogheda, County Louth. coshaw@gofree.indigo.ie
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Shaw
authors.forename: N
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Fattah
authors.forename: D
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Lynch
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Stokes
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D005260:Female; D006406:Hematoma / Q000175:diagnosis*; D006801:Humans; D008107:Liver Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis*; D049590:Postpartum Period; D011247:Pregnancy; D012422:Rupture, Spontaneous