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Splenic infarction complicating ligation of a gastroduodenal artery aneurysm
W Schweizer1, N C Gries, G Maddern
1Department of Surgery, Kantonsspital Schaffhausen (Head: Dr. W. Schweizer), Switzerland.
Background:
Aneurysms of visceral arteries are rare, but may lead to dramatic situations of intraabdominal or retroperitoneal hemorrhage in case of rupture.
Case Report:
We report the case of a 72-year-old patient who developed a hemorrhagic shock following a total hip replacement due to the rupture of an aneurysm of the gastroduodenal artery. Angiography also demonstrated a high-grade stenosis of the celiac trunk. The ruptured aneurysm was ligated as a live-saving procedure, but due to the stenosis in the celiac trunk the patient developed a splenic infarction followed by partial tissue liquefication. This was treated conservatively and after 3 months, the computed tomography showed an atrophic residual spleen.
Summary:
Diagnostic and therapeutic approaches to visceral vascular aneurysms are discussed including the potential complications of splenic infarction.