Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jun 24, 2026

An Approach to Point-Of-Care Ultrasound Evaluation of the Abdominal Aorta
Published on: September 8, 2023
Spontaneous cystic artery rupture: a rare cause of haemoperitoneum
A Ouazzani1, D Bataille, A Boutkhil
1Department of Digestive Surgery, Charleroi University Hospital, Charleroi, Belgium. aouazzan@ulb.ac.be
We report the case of a 74-year-old man who presented an acute haemoperitoneum further to the rupture of the cystic artery. The bleeding was successfully controlled using embolization. This procedure was complicated by ischaemic necrosis and perforation of the gall-bladder requiring laparoscopic cholecystectomy. Spontaneous rupture of intra-abdominal arteries is a rare event. This usually occurs in abnormal arteries, presenting pseudo-aneurysm or, weakened by arterial hypertension, diabetes or corticotherapy. In the case of a cystic artery rupture, embolization can be safely done as long as the arterial anastomotic network with hepatic parenchyma is sufficient to supply the gall-bladder.
We report the case of a 74-year-old man who presented an acute haemoperitoneum further to the rupture of the cystic artery. The bleeding was successfully controlled using embolization. This procedure was complicated by ischaemic necrosis and perforation of the gall-bladder requiring laparoscopic cholecystectomy. Spontaneous rupture of intra-abdominal arteries is a rare event. This usually occurs in abnormal arteries, presenting pseudo-aneurysm or, weakened by arterial hypertension, diabetes or corticotherapy. In the case of a cystic artery rupture, embolization can be safely done as long as the arterial anastomotic network with hepatic parenchyma is sufficient to supply the gall-bladder.
Related Concept Videos
Hemorrhagic Stroke l: Introduction
Aneurysm I: Introduction
Esophageal Perforation-I: Introduction
The location of esophageal perforation can vary, occurring anywhere along the esophagus.
Hemorrhagic Stroke ll: Pathophysiology
Aneurysm II: Clinical Manifestations and Diagnostic Studies
Esophageal Varices-I: Introduction