Obstet Gynecol Sci.  2017 May;60(3):303-307. 10.5468/ogs.2017.60.3.303.

Delayed postpartum hemoperitoneum due to uterine artery pseudoaneurysm rupture

Affiliations
  • 1Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Chungbuk National University Hospital, Chungbuk National University College of Medicine, Cheongju, Korea. kksdoc25@naver.com
  • 2Department of Radiology, Chungbuk National University Hospital, Chungbuk National University College of Medicine, Cheongju, Korea.

Abstract

A 30-year-old woman experienced severe abdominal pain 8 days after vaginal delivery. The patient was diagnosed with hemoperitoneum due to rupture of the left uterine artery pseudoaneurysm, which was confirmed via ultrasound with color Doppler and computed tomography scans. This patient was treated with bilateral uterine artery embolization to maintain fertility. A uterine artery pseudoaneurysm that causes delayed postpartum hemorrhage can occur after cesarean section or vaginal delivery. A uterine artery pseudoaneurysm can be fatal, so its detection and diagnosis are critical. Herein, we report a case of delayed postpartum hemoperitoneum due to uterine artery pseudoaneurysm rupture.

Keyword

Postpartum period; Hemoperitoneum; Aneurysm, false; Embolization

MeSH Terms

Abdominal Pain
Adult
Aneurysm, False*
Cesarean Section
Diagnosis
Female
Fertility
Hemoperitoneum*
Humans
Postpartum Hemorrhage
Postpartum Period*
Pregnancy
Rupture*
Ultrasonography
Uterine Artery Embolization
Uterine Artery*

Figure

  • Fig. 1 (A) Transvaginal gray scale sonograms showing a hypoechoic lesion (arrow) in the myometrium of the left lower segment of the uterus. (B) Color Doppler signals showing the typical arterial ‘to-and-fro’ pattern.

  • Fig. 2 Computed tomography revealed (A) leakage of contrast media (arrow) from the left uterine artery (before embolization), (B) no evidence of contrast media leakage (after embolization).


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