CLINICAL CASES   

Giornale Italiano di Chirurgia Vascolare 1998 September;5(3):169-74

Copyright © 2000 EDIZIONI MINERVA MEDICA

language: English, Italian

Celiac artery aneurysms. Case report and review of the literature

Cristiani A. M., Iovine L., Carissimi T., Bertoglio C.

From the Division of Vascular Surgery Municipal Hospital, Imperia, Italy

Aneurysm of the celiac trunk is an unusual finding, with an estimated occurrence of 3.5% in all cases of visceral artery aneurysms and a reported 73 cases undergoing surgery up to July 1997. The authors report their experience of a 64-year-old patient presenting symptoms of upper quadrant abdominal pain. Echo colour Doppler revealed a CTA with a maximum diameter of 2.5 cm which was confirmed by abdominal angioCT and digitalised arteriographic exploration of the abdominal aorta and its visceral trunks. The case was treated surgically by resection of the aneurysm, following resection and re-anastomosis of the splenic artery. Characteristic symptoms, possible etiological factors and the clinical course are all reviewed. In order to avoid the dramatic experience of rupture, surgery is imperative in order to restore splanchnic vascularisation.