Imaging of pregnancy-related liver diseases

Abstract

Pregnancy-related liver diseases are the most frequent cause of liver dysfunction in pregnancy and pose a real threat to fetal and maternal survival. Although hepatobiliary disorders are uncommon in pregnancy, they may be severe enough to cause risk to both the mother and fetus. There are five different types of liver disease that are unique to pregnancy, including hyperemesis gravidarum, intrahepatic cholestasis of pregnancy, preeclampsia, hemolysis, elevated liver enzyme, and low platelet count syndrome, and acute fatty liver of pregnancy. Ultrasound, computed tomography, and magnetic resonance imaging play important roles in the rapid diagnosis and evaluation of complications. An accurate diagnosis can guide further treatment or the induction of labor to prevent intrauterine fetal death. This review highlights the pathogenesis, clinical features, imaging features, and treatment of pregnancy-related liver diseases with the aim of enhancing awareness of these rare but potentially life-threatening diseases of pregnancy.