True giant common hepatic artery aneurysm associated with obstructive jaundice: a case report

The appropriate treatment for extrahepatic hepatic artery aneurysms remains controversial, with arguments for and against embolization. We describe a case of a giant true aneurysm of the common hepatic artery associated with obstructive jaundice of nonhemobilia origin. The patient, a 49-year-old previously healthy man, presented with upper midepigastric pain, jaundice, and low-grade fever. The diagnosis of the aneurysm was mainly based on computed tomography scan findings. The aneurysm was successfully embolized using wire coils, and the patient was operated on for acute abdomen. Necrotizing acalculus cholecystitis was found, and cholecystectomy followed by aneurysmectomy without hepatic artery reconstruction was performed. The jaundice subsided spontaneously, and the patient was discharged in good condition. Giant common hepatic artery aneurysms can be managed by either surgery or embolization. In the absence of liver ischemia there is no need for common hepatic artery reconstruction unless a bilioenteric bypass has to be performed to resolve the issue of jaundice. If the latter is required, reconstruction of the hepatic artery might be justifiable to maximize the blood supply to the bile duct.