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Fulminant herpes hepatitis in an immunocompetent pregnant woman: CT imaging features

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Abstract

Fulminant hepatitis due to herpes simplex virus (HSV) is rare in immunocompetent adults. Most reported cases have clearly established pregnancy as a condition that can predispose to disseminated HSV infection. We report a case of a 25-year-old previously healthy pregnant woman who presented with fatigue, fever, and anicteric hepatitis. Triphasic contrast-enhanced computed tomography demonstrated a miliary pattern of multiple, hypovascular, subcentimeter lesions scattered throughout the liver. Familiarity with the clinical findings and computed tomographic appearance may prompt early recognition of fulminant HSV hepatitis and allow differentiation from other hepatic disease during pregnancy.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Division of Abdominal Imaging and Intervention, Department of Radiology, Brigham and Women’s Hospital, 75 Francis Street, Boston, MA, 02115, USA

    K. J. Mortelé, M. A. Barish & K. E. Yucel

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  1. K. J. Mortelé
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  2. M. A. Barish
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  3. K. E. Yucel
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Correspondence to K. J. Mortelé.

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Mortelé, K., Barish, M. & Yucel, K. Fulminant herpes hepatitis in an immunocompetent pregnant woman: CT imaging features. Abdom Imaging 29, 682–684 (2004). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00261-004-0199-y

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00261-004-0199-y

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