Hemolysis, elevated liver enzymes, and low platelets, or HELLP syndrome, is a rare form of preeclampsia.1 Epigastric pain, due to liver enlargement, parenchymal necrosis, or rupture, may be the only symptom of this syndrome. Ultrasound examination may be useful in detecting liver hemorrhage or infarction in patients with HELLP syndrome. A case of HELLP syndrome in which sonographic changes of the liver were demonstrated during a 48-hour time period is reported here.
1. Weinstein L. Syndrome of hemolysis, elevated liver enzymes, and low platelet count: a severe consequence of hypertension in pregnancy. Am J Obstet Gynecol1982;142:159-168.
2.
2. Weinstein L. Preeclampsia/eclampsia with hemolysis, elevated liver enzymes and thrombocytopenia. Obstet Gynecol1985;66:657-660.
3.
3. Sibai BM, Taslimi MM, El-Nazer A, et al. Maternalperinatal outcome associated with the syndrome of hemolysis, elevated liver enzymes, and low platelets in severe preeclampsia-eclampsia. Am J Obstet Gynecol1986;155:501-509.
4.
4. Kronthal AJ, Fishman EK, Kuhlman JE, Bohlman ME. Hepatic infarction in preeclampsia. Radiology1990;177:726-728.
5.
5. Lee HK, Skarzynski J, Haynes DeRegt R, Mclymont F. Postpartum hepatic hemorrhage in the syndrome of hemolysis, elevated liver enzymes, and low platelets: diagnosis by radiocolloid scanning. Clin Nucl Med1988;13:635-637.
6.
6. Loevinger EH, Vujic I, Lee Wm, Anderson MC. Hepatic rupture associated with pregnancy: treatment with transcatheter embolotherapy. Radiology1985;156:272-272.
7.
7. Benacerraf BR, Frigoletto FD, Martini CA. Sonographic findings in severe preeclampsia twenty-four hours prior to clinical findings. Am J Obstet Gynecol1985;152:684-684.