Successful management of a symptomatic splenic artery aneurysm with transcatheter embolization

We describe a symptomatic splenic artery aneurysm (SAA) with occasional left-sided abdominal pain which was successfully treated with transcatheter embolization. A 65-year-old man was referred to a nearby clinic because of left shoulder and abdominal pain developing the day after blunt trauma to the shoulder and abdomen. Radiography revealed no fracture, and the patient went home. He stopped working for 7 months. Left-sided abdominal pain then developed several times after strenuous physical labor, and the patient was referred to a nearby hospital. The patient had a history of asthma and untreated hypertension; the use of iodinated contrast material was therefore avoided. Unenhanced computed tomography (CT) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) of the abdomen revealed a hematoma in the splenic hilum. The patient was referred to Nippon Medical School Hospital. His neurologic status was stable. Unenhanced CT of the abdomen at a nearby hospital revealed a low-density area in the splenic hilum. Fat-suppressed, T1-weighted images showed a hyperintense lesion adjacent to the splenic hilum. Fat-suppressed, T2-weighted images showed a dark hemosiderin rim, a bright ring, and an intermediate central core, which indicated a recurrent chronic hematoma in the abdomen. Dynamic contrast-enhanced MRI revealed a small hyperenhanced lesion adjacent to the hematoma, which appeared to be an SAA. After an injection of corticosteroids, selective splenic arteriography was performed. The splenic artery was catheterized via a right femoral approach. Arteriography showed an SAA, 1 cm in diameter with extravasation of contrast material. The neck of the SAA was catheterized with a microcatheter, and coils were placed successfully into the SAA to prevent recurrent bleeding. Postembolization angiography showed total occlusion of the SAA. The patient was discharged 7 days after embolization and has since resumed normal activities, with no residual symptoms.