Puerperal complications: pathophysiological mechanisms and main imaging findings

Area of Science:

• Obstetrics and Gynecology
• Radiology
• Pathophysiology

Background:

• The puerperium involves significant physiological readjustments post-pregnancy.
• Diagnosing complications during this period presents challenges for clinicians and radiologists.
• Puerperal complications arise from diverse pathophysiological mechanisms.

Purpose of the Study:

• To review and classify puerperal complications.
• To highlight the diagnostic challenges in the puerperium.
• To emphasize the importance of understanding pathophysiology for imaging selection.

Main Methods:

• Review of puerperal complications.
• Classification based on pathophysiological mechanisms.
• Discussion of diagnostic imaging considerations.

Main Results:

• Puerperal complications reviewed include those related to prothrombotic states, hemodynamic and hormonal shifts, rapid uterine growth, endothelial damage (preeclampsia, eclampsia, HELLP syndrome), and postoperative issues.
• These complications pose diagnostic difficulties.

Conclusions:

• Puerperal complications are diagnostically challenging.
• Understanding pathophysiological mechanisms is crucial.
• Appropriate imaging technique selection depends on understanding these mechanisms for accurate diagnosis.