Superior mesenteric artery pseudoaneurysm after blunt abdominal trauma

Area of Science:

• Vascular Surgery
• Trauma Surgery
• Gastrointestinal Surgery

Background:

• Visceral artery aneurysms (VAAs) are uncommon, accounting for 0.1-0.2% of all vascular aneurysms.
• The splenic artery is most commonly affected (60%), followed by the hepatic (20%) and superior mesenteric arteries (9%).
• Mesenteric injury from blunt abdominal trauma is a rare occurrence.

Observation:

• A 30-year-old male patient presented to a trauma hospital after a motor vehicle collision.
• The patient was diagnosed with a traumatic pseudoaneurysm of the superior mesenteric artery (SMA).
• This represents the 11th reported case of a visceral arterial pseudoaneurysm in medical literature.

Findings:

• The case highlights a rare instance of superior mesenteric artery pseudoaneurysm resulting from blunt abdominal trauma.
• The rarity of visceral arterial pseudoaneurysms underscores the diagnostic and management challenges.
• This presentation adds to the limited existing case studies of SMA pseudoaneurysms.

Implications:

• Increased awareness of traumatic SMA pseudoaneurysms is crucial for trauma surgeons.
• Prompt diagnosis and appropriate management are essential for favorable patient outcomes.
• Further research into the mechanisms and treatment of visceral artery pseudoaneurysms is warranted.