Abstract
Hemorrhage in the antepartum or postpartum setting is often an obstetric emergency that can be challenging to diagnose clinically and at imaging, and knowledge of normal and abnormal appearances and common pitfalls is key to lifesaving radiologic interpretation. Severe obstetric hemorrhage is a leading cause of maternal mortality and morbidity worldwide. Major hemorrhage in the antepartum period presents potential risks for both the mother and the fetus. Similarly, postpartum hemorrhage (PPH) accounts for up to a quarter of maternal deaths worldwide. Potential causes of severe antepartum hemorrhage that radiologists should be familiar with include placental abruption, placenta previa, placenta accreta spectrum disorders, and vasa previa. Common causes of PPH that the authors discuss include uterine atony, puerperal genital hematomas, uterine rupture and dehiscence, retained products of conception, and vascular anomalies. Bleeding complications unique to or most frequently encountered after cesarean delivery are also enumerated, including entities such as bladder flap hematomas, rectus sheath and subfascial hemorrhage, and infectious complications of endometritis and uterine dehiscence.
Original language | English |
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Article number | e230164 |
Journal | Radiographics |
Volume | 44 |
Issue number | 4 |
DOIs | |
State | Published - Apr 2024 |