Percutaneous treatment of a splenic artery pseudoaneurysm by thrombin injection

Pseudoaneurysms in the visceral arteries are rare complications of pancreatitis. In the reported case, a 42-year-old man with a splenic pseudoaneurysm was successfully treated by computed tomography (CT)-guided direct thrombin injection into the pseudoaneurysm lumen. Selective catheterization of the splenic artery had proven technically impossible. During the procedure, contrast medium was injected via a pigtail catheter into the aorta for planning, correct positioning of the needle tip, and control imaging after injection. CT examinations 1 day, 3 weeks, and 6 months after treatment demonstrated complete occlusion shrinkage of the pseudoaneurysm, and the patient was symptom-free.