Aneurysm of the Splenic Artery

Giant anevrisms of the splenic artery about six cases

Splenic artery aneurysms are rare. Giant aneurysms more than 2,5cm are extremely rare. The splenic artery is the third site after the aorta and iliac arteries, and the first location for aneurysmal lesion of the visceral arteries. The etiology of splenic artery aneurysms is not yet well established, however, fibromuscular dysplasia, non-cirrhotic portal hypertension and pregnancy seem to contribute to the emergence and evolution of arterial lesions. The majority of splenic artery aneurysms are asymptomatic. However, epigastric or left hypochondrial pain may occur. Doppler ultrasound, computed tomography angiography or magnetic resonance imaging are usually performed in the diagnostic workup. Treatment procedure, surgical or endovascular, depends on the aneurysmal site (proximal or distal) and the type of elective or urgent intervention. The present study reports six cases of splenic artery aneurysm, with a diameter greater than 50mm, treated successfully with surgery.