[Subcapsular hematoma of the liver. Six cases and review of the literature].

Defined as a blood collection under the Glisson capsule, the subcapsular haematoma of liver is a rare complication of pre-eclampsia. We observed 6 cases of subcapsular haematoma of the liver in the Gynaecology-Obstetrics ward of the Ibnou Rochd University Hospital in Casablanca, Morocco. Age range was 18 to 39 years. Five of the patients were multiparous. All except one had at least one sign of pre-eclampsia. The diagnosis was made post-partum in 5 cases and was only confirmed intra-operatively in 6 cases. The treatment was tamponing-drainage of the peritoneal cavity in 3 cases, ligature of the hepatic artery in 2, and in one case with rupture of the liver, no therapy could be performed. There were 3 maternal deaths and 2 foetal deaths. These results were compared with those in the literature to determine the epidemiologic, diagnostic, therapeutic and prognostic characteristics of the subcapsular haematoma of the liver. The prognosis is poor and requires early diagnosis and treatment. Effective prevention of this severe complication should be based on correct screening and care for pregnant patients with hypertension.