Haemoperitoneum secondary to spontaneous rupture of hepatocellular carcinoma: CT diagnosis.

In Western countries, haemoperitoneum following rupture of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is unusual. Three patients are presented in whom massive intraperitoneal haemorrhage secondary to spontaneous rupture of HCC was diagnosed by computed tomography (CT). CT demonstrated a peripheral hepatic tumour and free intraperitoneal fluid with areas of high-attenuation, representing acute blood-clot, close to the tumour in every case. In our opinion, CT is a valuable imaging modality in the diagnosis of ruptured HCC.