Hepatic rupture associated with pregnancy: treatment with transcatheter embolotherapy

Spontaneous rupture of the liver associated with pregnancy is a rare and very serious complication, usually occurring in association with eclampsia or preeclampsia. Survival has generally been dependent on early recognition of characteristic signs and symptoms and prompt surgical intervention. Even with surgery, maternal mortality approaches 40% and fetal mortality is even higher. The diagnosis can usually be firmly established based on the clinical and radiographic findings presented in this article. Reported is a patient with hepatic rupture successfully treated by transcatheter embolization of the hepatic artery. It is the authors' belief that if such a patient is clinically stable enough to undergo angiography, then transcatheter embolotherapy is a reasonable alternative to surgery.