Mourad Boudiaf

Hepatic involvement in Wilson disease (WD) manifests as a diffuse chronic disease in the majority of patients. However, in a subset of patients focal liver lesions may develop, presenting with a wide range of imaging features. The majority of focal liver lesions in patients with WD are benign nodules, but there are reports that have described malignant liver tumors or dysplastic nodules in these patients. Because of the possibility of malignant transformation of liver nodules, major concerns have been raised with respect to the management and follow-up of patients with WD in whom focal liver lesions have been identified. The assessment of liver involvement in patients with WD is generally performed with ultrasonography. However, ultrasonography conveys limited specificity so that magnetic resonance (MR) imaging is often performed to improve lesion characterization. This review was performed to illustrate the spectrum of MR imaging features of focal liver lesions that develop in patients with WD. It is assumed that familiarity with the MR imaging presentation of focal liver lesions in WD may help clarify the actual nature of hepatic nodules in patients with this condition.

Objective To describe the magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) presentation of liver involvement in adult patients with Wilson disease (WD) and determine the most indicative appearance of this condition on MRI using a retrospective case–control study. Materials and Methods MRI examinations of 23 adult patients with WD (14 men, 9 women; mean age = 40.4 years) were analyzed by two blinded observers and compared to those obtained in 23 patients with chronic viral hepatitis (14 men, 9 women, mean age = 40.4 years) who were matched for age, gender and severity of chronic liver disease. Images were qualitatively and quantitatively analyzed with respect to imaging presentation. Comparisons were performed using univariate analysis. Results Honeycomb pattern of hepatic parenchyma was the most discriminating independent variable for the diagnosis of WD (odds ratio, 17.082; 95 % CI 2.092–139.497) (P = 0.0081) but had a sensitivity of 43 % (10/23; 95 % CI 23–66 %). Regular liver contours was the other variable that strongly correlated with the presence of liver involvement by WD (odds ratio, 11.939; 95 % CI 1.503–94.836) (P = 0.0190). Conclusion The honeycomb pattern is the most discriminating independent variable for the diagnosis of liver involvement by WD but has limited sensitivity. Familiarity with this finding may clarify the cause of diffuse hepatic parenchymal abnormalities in patients with unknown WD.

HELLP syndrome, which consists of hemolysis, elevated liver enzymes, and low platelet count is an unusual complication of pregnancy that is observed in only 10% to 15% of women with preeclampsia. Hepatic involvement in HELLP syndrome may present with various imaging features depending on the specific condition that includes nonspecific abnormalities such as perihepatic free fluid, hepatic steatosis, liver enlargement, and periportal halo that may precede more severe conditions such as hepatic hematoma and hepatic rupture with hemoperitoneum. Maternal clinical symptoms may be nonspecific and easily mistaken for a variety of other conditions that should be recognized. Because hepatic hematoma occurring in association with preeclampsia and HELLP syndrome is a potentially life-threatening complication, prompt depiction is critical and may help reduce morbidity and mortality. This review provides an update on demographics, risk factors, pathophysiology, and clinical features of hepatic complications due to HELLP syndrome along with a special emphasis on the imaging features of these uncommon conditions.

Postpartum hemorrhage (PPH) is a potentially life-threatening condition, which needs multidisciplinary management. Uterine atony represents up to 80 % of all causes of PPH. Transcatheter arterial embolization (TAE) has now a well-established role in the management of severe PPH. TAE allows stopping the bleeding in 90 % of women with severe PHH, obviating surgery. Pledgets of gelatin sponge as torpedoes are commonly used for safe TAE, and coils, glue, and microspheres have been primarily used in specific situations such as arterial rupture, pseudoaneurysm, and arteriovenous fistula. TAE is a minimally invasive procedure with a low rate of complications, which preserves future fertility. Knowledge of causes of PPH, potential risks, and limitations of TAE is essential for a timely decision, optimizing TAE, preventing irreversible complications, avoiding hysterectomy, and ultimately preserving fertility.