title: Massive vulvar edema in a woman with preeclampsia: a case report.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Massive vulvar edema in a woman with preeclampsia preceded the development of massive ascites and impending eclampsia.
  
  
  METHODS
  A 17-year-old preeclamptic, primiparous woman was admitted with preeclampsia and massive vulvar edema. Other causes were excluded. The vulvar edema increased as the blood pressure and ascites increased, and a severe headache developed. Cesarean section for increasing preclampsia was performed. In the puerperium, the blood pressure improved and vulvar edema resolved. The clinical picture of the vulvar edema correlated with the severity of the preeclampsia.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The presence of vulvar edema in women with preeclampsia should indicate immediate admission to the hospital. These patients must be considered as at high risk, and close monitoring must be instituted. In our case, vulvar edema preceded massive ascites development. We assume a common development mechanism for these signs in preeclampsia, due mainly to increased capillary permeability and hypoalbuminemia. The attending physician must be prepared for immediate delivery and possible preeclampsia complications in these patients.
authors.affiliation: Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Thessalia, University Hospital of Larissa, Larissa, Greece. dapontea@otenet.gr
authors.forename: Alexandros
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Daponte
authors.forename: Hara
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Skentou
authors.forename: Konstantinos D
authors.initials: KD
authors.lastname: Dimopoulos
authors.forename: Athanasios
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Kallitsaris
authors.forename: Ioannis E
authors.initials: IE
authors.lastname: Messinis
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D001201:Ascites / Q000209:etiology*; D002585:Cesarean Section; D004487:Edema / Q000209:etiology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D011225:Pre-Eclampsia; D011247:Pregnancy; D011256:Pregnancy Outcome; D011263:Pregnancy Trimester, Third; D014845:Vulvar Diseases / Q000209:etiology*