Clinical features and management of splenic artery pseudoaneurysm: case series and cumulative review of literature

Abstract

Splenic artery pseudoaneurysm is rare and usually is a complication of pancreatitis or trauma. Average aneurysm diameter in our series of 10 patients was smaller than previously reported (1.7 cm vs 5.0 cm). Although conservative management has produced excellent results in some reports, from our experience and the literature, we recommend repair of all splenic artery pseudoaneurysms.

Abdominal Pain in Diabetic Ketoacidosis: Beyond the Obvious

“…In contrast with true aneurysms, pseudoaneurysm wall consists of intima and media layers without any overlying adventitia [8]. It may be caused by pancreatitis, trauma, peptic ulcer disease and surgical damage.…”

“…Recurrent episodes of pancreatitis are associated with splenic artery necrotizing arteritis, which is considered to be the underlying cause of vessel wall damage that leads to pseudoaneurysm formation [7]. Patients are often symptomatic (97.5% of the cases) and present with abdominal pain (29.5%), hematochezia or melena (26.2%), hematemesis (14.8%) or hemorrhage into the pancreatic duct (20.3%) [8]. Timely recognition and intervention are crucial in order to prevent rupture (that occurs in 37% of the cases) which carries a high mortality rate (90%) [9,10].…”

Spontaneous splenic artery aneurysm rupture in a 38-year old female: a case report

“…Complications include: post-embolization syndrome, presenting with fever, pain and leukocytosis; splenic and intestinal infarcts; pancreatic or splenic abscess and migration of embolization material to non-targeted arteries (10,11). The coil embolization in the presented patient was considered successful, since she was stabilized right after the procedure.…”

Percutaneous trans-needle coil application - an alternative access to false aneurysm of the splenic artery

“…However, tortuosity of the splenic artery may be limiting [6]. Therefore, we were searching for an alternative approach.…”