The role of computed tomography in detecting splenic arteriovenous fistula and concomitant atrial myxoma

Abstract

Patient: Female, 45Final Diagnosis: Arterio-venous fistula of the spleanSymptoms: Lef-side abdominal painMedication: —Clinical Procedure: —Specialty: SurgeryObjective:Rare diseaseBackground:Splenic arterial-venous fistula and atrial myxoma are not rare cases but the co-existence of both lesions in the same patient is unpublished so far.Case Report:A 45- year-old woman presented with vague left flank pain. She was initially scanned by B-dimensional echography, which revealed multiple enlarged hypo-echoic lesions in the splenic hilum. To further characterize the lesion, we performed computed tomography angiography (CTA). CTA showed dilatation of the splenic artery, and aneurismal dilatation of the splenic vein, associated with early opacification of the portal system. CTA showed also an intrasplenic venous aneurism, which was presumed to be the site of fistulous communication. Celiac arteriography confirmed the CTA findings. A left atrial mass was detected by cardiac echography, which was evaluated better by CTA, and was consistent with atrial myxoma. The patient underwent open surgery in different stage with resection of the atrial mass and spleen. The postoperative period was uneventful.Conclusions:This is a unique case in the literature, showing the coexistence of a dual-pathology splenic arterial venous fistula and atrial myxoma.