HELLP syndrome: An ultrasound case of geographically altered liver parenchymal echogenicity with shear wave elastography, shear wave dispersion and attenuation imaging correlation

Abstract

HELLP syndrome is a rare, potentially life threatening obstetric condition that is diagnosed by the combination of Haemolysis, Elevated Liver enzyme levels, and Low Platelets (Pregnancy Hypertens, 1, 164, 2011). HELLP affects between 0.5% and 0.9% of all pregnancies (BMC Pregnancy Childbirth, 9, 8, 2009), however less than 0.5% of HELLP syndrome cases demonstrate any imaging abnormalities (Am J Roentgenol 185, 1205, 2005). This case report outlines the use of three new liver ultrasound technologies – shear wave elastography (SWE), shear wave dispersion (SWD) and attenuation imaging (ATI) in the evaluation of a patient with HELLP syndrome. The ultrasound applications were used to examine temporal changes of the disease with corresponding biochemical variations. The SWE and SWD values correlated with B mode ultrasound imaging and the clinical findings of HELLP.