[Spontaneous liver haemorrhage during pregnancy: a rare and life-threatening situation]

Abstract

Three pregnant women, of whom 2 were 33 and 1 was 35 years of age, were seen; 2 of them had upper abdominal pain and 1had oedema. All had proteinuria and liver enzyme abnormalities, and pre-eclampsia or the HELLP syndrome was suspected. They were consequently admitted and at first treated with antihypertensive agents. One patient underwent a Caesarean section and the baby had a good start. Afterwards, however, the patient developed shock. A CT-scan revealed a hepatic rupture, for which repeated surgical packing of the liver was carried out. The postoperative course was complicated. A second patient developed shock and the foetus died. Here the CT-scan revealed a liver haematoma. At surgery the next day, removal of the foetus was followed by heavy uterine bleeding. The patient again developed shock and the uterus was resected. A haematoma that was seen in the liver was treated expectatively. The postoperative course was not complicated. In a third patient, abdominal echography revealed bleeding from the liver. Simultaneous Caesarean section and surgical exploration of the liver took place, with packing of the liver. The child had Apgar scores of 4, 7 and 9. After re-laparotomy because of persistent bleeding from the liver the patient recovered. Spontaneous liver haemorrhage and hepatic rupture during pregnancy is a rare condition associated with significant maternal and perinatal mortality. The majority of cases occur during pregnancies complicated by pre-eclampsia or the HELLP syndrome. The presenting symptoms are non-specific. A high index of suspicion is important and early evaluation with imaging is necessary to improve the prognosis of both mother and child.