Type:
Educational Exhibit
Keywords:
Emergency Imaging, Emergency, Obstetrics (Pregnancy / birth / postnatal period), CT, Ultrasound, Complications, Diagnostic procedure, Obstetrics, Prospective, Not applicable, Performed at one institution
Authors:
J. García Prieto, J. Alonso Sanchez, G. GARCIA GALARRAGA, P. A. Encinas Escobar, I. Rios, E. Martínez Chamorro; Madrid/ES
DOI:
10.26044/ecr2020/C-07098
Background
The postpartum period refers to the time from delivery up to 6-8 weeks later, when maternal physiological changes related to pregnancy return to baseline [1]. It is a time of intense changes and the diagnosis of associated complications can be a challenge to both the obstetrician and the radiologist.
Normal findings
There is a considerable overlap between the normal and pathological appearances and it is important to recognize first what is considered to be within normal limits.
Uterine content (even the presence of gas) and prominent vascular structures or perfusion abnormalities can be considered normal findings if there is no clinical significance. [1][2]
It is also important to know the expected findings following a cesarean delivery. The most commonly performed surgical technique is a low transverse incision that can be identified as an oval region between the bladder and the uterus slightly hypoechoic on ultrasound and hypodense on CT and it should not be interpreted as uterine dehiscence [3].
Small amounts of periuterine free fluid as well as small areas of stranding and fluid in the subcutaneous fat can also be seen due to the surgical procedure [3].
Prevesical collections and collections between the bladder and the uterus are usually considered not clinically significant if less than 4 cm [3].