Puerperal complications: pathophysiological mechanisms and main imaging findings

Abstract

Objective: Puerperium is the period during which the physiological changes that have taken place during pregnancy revert and the uterus involutes until it reaches its normal size. This is a period of intense systemic changes, and diagnosing complications in this period is a challenge for both gynecologists and radiologists. This paper reviews the complications that can occur during puerperium, classifying them according to the pathophysiological mechanisms involved: the prothrombotic state, hemodynamic and hormonal changes, rapid uterine growth, changes associated with endothelial damage (preeclampsia, eclampsia, and HELLP syndrome), and postoperative complications in patients undergoing cesarean sections.

Conclusion: Puerperal complications represent a diagnostic challenge. Understanding the pathophysiological mechanisms underlying these complications is fundamental for choosing the most appropriate imaging technique to ensure the correct diagnosis in each case.

Keywords: Computed tomography; Eclampsia; Endometritis; Puerperio; Puerperium; Thrombosis; Tomografía computarizada; Trombosis.