Hepatic infarction in a pregnant woman with antiphospholipid syndrome and early pre-eclampsia: A case report

Abstract

The aim of the present case report is to stress out the occurrence of hepatic infraction in pregnant women with antiphospholipid syndrome (APS) and the critical role magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) plays for the early diagnosis of rare complications of the disease. Here we report the case of a preeclamptic pregnant woman with APS in her 17th week of gestation, who experienced severe epigastric pain, followed by multiple episodes of vomiting and an episode of soft stools. Patient was submitted to MRI examination of the upper abdomen, where findings suggested hepatic infarction with subsequent deterioration of her general status. Therefore, she underwent termination of gestation. We conclude that pregnancy is a deteriorating factor of the disease and patient should be closely monitored, evaluated of any suspicious symptom or sign.