title: Diagnosis and surgical management of spontaneous hepatic rupture associated with HELLP syndrome.
abstract: Spontaneous hepatic rupture with hemoperitoneum is an uncommon but devastating complication of hemolysis, elevated liver enzymes, and low platelets (HELLP) syndrome. Although the syndrome has been considered a variant of preeclampsia/eclampsia, its pathogenesis is not completely understood. Hepatic rupture increases the perinatal and maternal morbidity and mortality. This report describes 3 cases of extensive spontaneous hepatic rupture in pregnant women with HELLP syndrome. Early diagnosis and adequate tertiary management of this rare but life-threatening condition reduce the high maternal and newborn mortality.
authors.affiliation: Intensive Care Unit, Mitera Hospital of Athens, Greece.
authors.forename: Theodoros
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Pavlis
authors.forename: Stavros
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Aloizos
authors.forename: Paraskevi
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Aravosita
authors.forename: Christina
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Mystakelli
authors.forename: Dimitra
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Petrochilou
authors.forename: Nikitas
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Dimopoulos
authors.forename: Stavros
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Gourgiotis
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D005260:Female; D017359:HELLP Syndrome; D006465:Hemoperitoneum / Q000209:etiology; D006801:Humans; D008107:Liver Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000601:surgery*; D011247:Pregnancy; D012422:Rupture, Spontaneous