Computed Tomography Angiography in Diagnosis and Treatment of Splenic Artery Aneurysm

Spontaneous Splenic Artery Pseudoaneurysm Rupture Causing Hemorrhagic Shock

Splenic artery pseudoaneurysm (SAP) is an uncommon etiology of acute abdominal pain, requiring a high degree of clinical suspicion to diagnose in a timely manner. There are currently no reports of spontaneous SAP ruptures in the emergency medicine literature. We report a case of a man who presented with acute abdominal pain secondary to an SAP. A computed tomography angiography scan of the abdomen revealed a ruptured SAP with hemoperitoneum. He successfully underwent emergency laparotomy and surgical ligation of his SAP with splenectomy. SAP rupture remains an under-recognized etiology of abdominal pain, even though it is the most frequent type of visceral pseudoaneurysm. Our case herein reinforces the importance of a broad list of differential diagnoses in the patient with acute abdominal pain, as well as the importance of the emergency physician in identifying an emergent condition and then directing the initial stabilization, resuscitation, and management.

Splenic Artery Aneurysm (SAA) Rupture in Pregnancy: A Case Report of a Rare but Life-Threatening Obstetrical Complication

This is the case of a 38 year-old Lebanese woman G2P1, history of previous cesarean section, presenting at 30+5 weeks of gestation with acute left-sided flank pain and a two-day history of chills and dysuria. In light of the clinical presentation, the patient was initially diagnosed with pyelonephritis and managed accordingly; however, her clinical status deteriorated with worsening hypotension and lethargy despite resuscitative measures and a normal abdominal ultrasound. Failure to revive the patient eventually led to a cardiac arrest for which a peri-mortem cesarean section was performed at bedside. Upon abdominal entry, an actively-bleeding ruptured splenic artery aneurysm (SAA) was identified, for which massive transfusion protocol was activated, and the patient was transferred to the operating room. The patient had a complicated postoperative course, the fetus was stillborn, and she was discharged home after 6 months of hospital stay. In view of the high mortality and morbidity associated with ruptured SAA in pregnancy, early recognition and prompt intervention are crucial for maternal and fetal benefit.

Splenic artery aneurysm presenting as a submucosal gastric lesion: A case report

We are reporting the rare case of splenic artery aneurysm of 4 cm of diameter presenting as a sub mucosal lesion on gastro-duodenal endoscopy. This aneurysm was treated by endovascular coil embolization and stent graft implantation. The procedure was uneventful. On day 1, the patient presented an acute severe epigastric pain and cardiovascular arrest. Abdominal computed tomography scan showed an active leak of the intravenous contrast dye in the peritoneum from the splenic aneurysm. We performed an emergent resection of the aneurysm, and peritoneal lavage. Postoperatively, hemorrhagic choc was refractory to large volumes replacement, and intravenous vaso-active drugs. On day 2, he presented massive hematochezia. We performed a total colectomy with splenectomy and cholecystectomy for ischemic colitis, with spleen and gallbladder infarction. Despite vaso-active drugs and aggressive treatment with Factor VIIa, the patient died after uncontrolled disseminated intravascular coagulation.