Fact-sheet: HELLP syndrome


Updated on 04/20/2018 at 5:35 PM

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Definition

HELLP SYNDROME, acronym for:

- Hemolysis

- Elevated Liver enzymes

- Low Platelet count

Clinical features

Found in pregnant women in the setting of:

- Preeclampsia

- 5 to 10% of preeclamptic pregnancies

Frequently associated with DIC.

Recurrence: 25%

Laboratory findings

Laboratory findings:

- Elevated AST-ALT and LDH

- Thrombocytopenia

- Low bloog glucose Hypoglycemia

Histology:

- Periportal necrosis

- Fibrin deposits within the hepatic sinusoids

Ultrasound

Heterogeneous hepatic areas corresponding to subcapsular foci of hepatic infarction.

Heterogeneous biconvex image at the periphery of the liver: subcapsular hematoma.

CT

  • Biconvex collection at the periphery of the liver, corresponding to a spontaneously hyperdense subcapsular hematoma.
  • Peripheral triangular focus, spontaneously hypodense, without enhancement after contrast injection: focus of hepatic infarction.
  • Hemoperitoneum with contrast extravasation into the free peritoneal cavity during injection.

Differential diagnosis

  • Unrecognized hepatic trauma
  • Hepatic infarction of vascular origin