[Visceral artery aneurysms]

The aim of this study was to review our experience in the diagnosis and treatment of visceral artery aneurysms.

We performed a retrospective study through review of the medical records of patients diagnosed with visceral aneurysms from 1984 to 2003. Diagnosis, treatment and follow-up were analyzed.

Thirty-two aneurysms were diagnosed in 27 patients (17 men and 10 women). There were 12 aneurysms of the splanchnic artery, six of the hepatic artery, five of the celiac trunk, three gastroduodenal, one jejunal, one pancreaticoduodenal, one superior mesenteric--associated with a splanchnic, renal and celiac trunk aneurysm--, one inferior mesenteric, one cystic artery and one case of parenchymatous hepatorenal microaneurysms. Eight aneurysms were not treated. Three underwent embolization. One aneurysm was excluded with a covered endoprosthesis. Twenty aneurysms were treated surgically. Ligature or exclusion was performed in 11 patients, hepatic lobectomy in one patient, resection with revascularization in four patients, endoaneurysmorrhaphy in three patients and simple suture was performed in one hepatic artery pseudoaneurysm.

Current diagnostic techniques favor early and sometimes minimally invasive treatment. Splanchnic aneurysms are more difficult to diagnose and require highly varied repair techniques.