ORIGINAL ARTICLE  VISCERAL ARTERIAL DISEASE Free access

International Angiology 2020 June;39(3):241-51

DOI: 10.23736/S0392-9590.20.04304-7

Copyright © 2020 EDIZIONI MINERVA MEDICA

lingua: Inglese

Decision-making and therapeutic options in intact splenic artery aneurysms: single-center experience and literature review

Francisco S. LOZANO SÁNCHEZ ¹ ✉, Jesus GARCÍA-ALONSO ², José A. TORRES ¹, Luis VELASCO ², Roberto SALVADOR ¹, Ruben PEÑA ¹, José R. GONZÁLEZ-PORRAS ³

¹ Unit of Angiology and Vascular Surgery, University Hospital of Salamanca, Salamanca Biomedical Research Institute, Salamanca, Spain; ² Unit of Interventional Radiology, University Hospital of Salamanca, Salamanca Biomedical Research Institute, Salamanca, Spain; ³ Unit of Thromobosis and Hemostasis, Department of Hematology, University Hospital of Salamanca, Salamanca Biomedical Research Institute, Salamanca, Spain

BACKGROUND: Splenic artery aneurysms are rare, potentially serious, and usually asymptomatic. Several methods are currently available to treat them, each with their own advantages and drawbacks. Therefore, its therapeutic paradigm has changed.
METHODS: We review our database of splenic aneurysms (2009-2019) and undertake an exhaustive literature review. Demographic, clinical, diagnostic, therapeutic, early and follow-up outcome data were examined. Our experience comprised: 15 patients with 19 splenic aneurysms. 11 women (average age, 59.4 years) and 4 men (average age, 61.7 years). All asymptomatic.
RESULTS: At diagnosis, aneurysms had a mean cross-sectional diameter of 3.4 cm (3.2 and 3.9 for women and men, respectively), the largest measuring 8.5 cm. Two independent aneurysms were detected in four patients. Diagnoses were always incidental to a CT scan. Treatments consisted of open surgery (2 patients), endovascular surgery (10 patients: 7 embolizations, 3 covered stent) and observation/follow-up (3 patients). The cases of open surgery (with splenectomy) were carried out without postoperative morbidity. One embolization failed (requiring subsequent open surgery) and two suffered localized splenic infarction, but without further complications. In patients treated with a covered stent, the aneurysm was always excluded, without complications. There was no 30-day or follow-up (average 26.2 months) mortality. Splenic aneurysms are diagnosed more frequently and earlier (in the asymptomatic phase), albeit incidentally, than in the past.
CONCLUSIONS: The correct indication (identifying patients at risk) and individualization of treatment, in which endovascular techniques are the first-line option, have significantly improved morbidity and mortality outcomes in our hospital.

KEY WORDS: Splenic artery; Aneurysm; Surgical procedures, operative; Stents