Splenic arteriovenous fistula: successful treatment with an Amplatz occlusion device

Splenic artery and vein aneurysm with splenic arteriovenous fistula (SAVF) is a rare entity. We report the case of a 72-year-old woman who presented with signs and symptoms of portal hypertension after a laparoscopic Nissen fundoplication. The diagnosis of a 37-mm SAVF was confirmed by a computed tomographic angiogram. The arteriovenous fistula was successfully treated with placement of a 20-mm Amplatz occlusion device. Surgical ligation and percutaneous embolization have been reported to be equally successful in managing SAVF. We present a review of the literature and report on a novel approach to this rare and challenging diagnosis.