Splenic Artery Aneurysm
Splenic artery aneurysm is the third most common aneurysm in the abdomen and the most common type to affect the internal organs. The spleen is an abdominal organ that forms part of the immune system. It has a large artery that supplies blood to it. When a portion of this artery balloons or widens because of weakness in its walls, an aneurysm develops. Other more common intra-abdominal aneurysms affect the aorta and the iliac arteries.
Part 1: Are There Any Symptoms of Splenic Artery Aneurysm?
Initially, most patients do not experience any symptoms, and a splenic artery aneurysm may be diagnosed incidentally on imaging. However, some patients experience nausea, vomiting and abdominal pain. In some patients, serious life-threatening
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Compression symptoms affecting adjacent organs.
3. Severe pain on the left side of the abdomen may be due to acute expansion or rupture of the aneurysm.
4. Abdominal distension, shock, and death may occur due to rupture into the peritoneum.
5. In up to 30% of cases, double-rupture may occur, which means rupture of the aneurysm into the lesser sac, followed by intraperitoneal rupture.
6. Rupture involving the splenic vein, the gastrointestinal tract, or the pancreatic ducts.
Part 2: Causes and Risk Factors
What causes splenic artery aneurysm? Possible causes include atherosclerosis, portal hypertension due to liver cirrhosis, and pregnancy. Multiparity and pregnancy-associated hormonal effects as well as portal hypertension are believed to cause dilatation of the weak walls of the splenic artery.
Other possible causes include congenital defects such as berry aneurysms and arterio-venous malformations. Acquired conditions like pancreatitis and toxic causes may also result in arterial wall damage.
Risk Factors
Splenic artery aneurysm is more common among women, particularly in patients around 50 years old. Other factors that increase your risk of the disease include:
Multiple pregnancies
Lupus
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Most cases are incidental findings on abdominal imaging of unrelated disorders. Classic findings on plain x-ray include a calcified ring in the left upper quadrant. Part 4: Treatment Options for Splenic Artery Aneurysm
The risk of splenic artery aneurysm rupture is relatively small (6%), but when it ruptures, the mortality rate is high (36%).
Spontaneous rupture of splenic artery aneurysms that are asymptomatic and are less than 2 cm in diameter is rare, especially in patients with no risk factors. A follow-up period of one year is recommended, but it may be extended if other medical risks are present.
For patients who have aneurysms that are at least 2 cm in diameter, endovascular therapy is recommended. Management of large aneurysms may include coil embolization.
Regardless of size, surgical intervention may be indicated for rapidly increasing aneurysms, symptomatic aneurysms, cirrhosis, and presence of aneurysm in premenopausal women.
Splenic artery aneurysm treatment options