Aneurysms of the visceral arteries

Visceral artery aneurysms are uncommon. During the period 1975-88, 32 patients were treated at the Royal Melbourne Hospital for true and false visceral artery aneurysms. There were 18 males and 14 females, with an age range of 12-86 years. Of the 32 patients, 26 were symptomatic and six were asymptomatic. True aneurysms were found in 20 patients and false aneurysms in 10. A further two were dissecting aneurysms. Of the arteries involved, 17 were renal, six were hepatic, five were splenic, one was superior mesenteric, one was left colic and there were two patients with aneurysms at multiple sites. Aetiological factors included atherosclerosis, fibromuscular dysplasia, pancreatitis, and trauma. Only one patient presented in pregnancy. Rupture occurred in 12 patients and two died as a result of this complication. All the true hepatic artery aneurysms presented in this way. Pre-operative investigations included plain radiology, computerized tomography with contrast, nuclear scanning and selective angiography. Operative treatment was required in 22 cases, 12 as an emergency and 10 as an elective procedure. Surgical options included aneurysm excision with or without arterial reconstruction, aneurysmorrhaphy with flap arterioplasty, or ligation of the aneurysm. Embolization was successfully employed in two patients and eight were merely observed without complications. Surgical therapy is recommended for any patient with symptoms, for any woman of child-bearing age and for all hepatic artery aneurysms.