Imaging of postpartum complications: a multimodality review

Area of Science:

• Radiology
• Obstetrics & Gynecology
• Medical Imaging

Background:

• Postpartum and posttermination complications are significant causes of morbidity and mortality in women.
• Accurate diagnosis relies on understanding imaging findings in the context of clinical presentation.

Purpose of the Study:

• To review common and uncommon complications in postpartum and posttermination patients.
• To correlate these complications with their respective imaging findings.
• To highlight the importance of recognizing normal and abnormal imaging appearances.

Main Methods:

• Review of various imaging modalities including ultrasound, CT, MRI, and angiography.
• Presentation of characteristic imaging findings for a spectrum of complications.
• Emphasis on the integration of imaging with clinical information.

Main Results:

• Detailed descriptions of imaging findings for both frequent and rare postpartum/posttermination complications.
• Illustrations of diverse normal and abnormal postpartum uterine appearances on imaging.
• Discussion of the role of different imaging techniques in diagnosis.

Conclusions:

• Obstetric complications pose a considerable risk to women's health.
• Ultrasound is a key imaging modality in postpartum care, complementing clinical assessment.
• Radiologists must be adept at interpreting postpartum imaging to ensure accurate diagnosis and management.