Splenic artery aneurysm in the 1990s

Splenic artery aneurysms (SAA), although rare, are the most common visceral artery aneurysms and are known for their potential for rupture. Pregnancy and portal hypertension have been known as major risk factors. With improve d methods of diagnosis and minimally invasive therapy, management and outco me of SAA may change significantly. The purpose of this study was to analyz e our institutional experience with SAA during the past decade. Charts of a ll patients (six women, three men; mean age, 60.5 [range: 31 to 81] years) with diagnoses of SAA from 1988 to 1999 were reviewed. Associated condition s included essential hypertension (6), portal hypertension (3), diabetes (1 ), intracranial aneurysm (1), and polyarteritis nodosa (1). Six patients we re asymptomatic, and three had ruptured SAA. Diagnosis was made by angiogra phy (2), computed tomography (3), ultrasonography (3), and exploratory lapa rotomy(1). Six patients underwent surgery (five required splenectomy), one had embolization, and two had no intervention. Three postoperative deaths o ccurred-two (intracranial aneurysm, myocardial infarction) in the first mon th, one (sepsis) in the ninth month. An association of liver disease with S AA was confirmed, however, no association with pregnancy was noted. Surgica l treatment followed traditional methods, and mortality correlated with pre sence of severe comorbidity. DOI: 10.1007/s100169910039.