Atherosclerotic splenic artery aneurysm in a decompensated cirrhotic patient

Radu Badea1, Vasile Andreica2, Cosmin Caraiani3

  • 1Ultrasound Department, 3rd Medical Clinic, Regional Institute of Gastroenterology and Hepatology "Octavian Fodor", University of Medicine and Pharmacy "Iuliu Hatieganu", 19-21 Croitorilor Street, 400126, Cluj-Napoca, Romania.

Splenic artery aneurysm is a rare condition with potential lethal complications. If associated with severe diseases, the diagnosis and management may be challenging. Usually, ultrasound examination is the first step in the diagnosis, and the specific ultrasound features suggest the diagnosis. When combined with contrast-enhanced ultrasound examination, the accuracy of ultrasound increases and can therefore rule out some severe complications. We present the case of a patient hospitalized with decompensated cirrhosis in whom the ultrasound examination revealed the presence of a high-risk splenic artery aneurysm. However, the treatment decisions were profoundly influenced by the liver disease complications.

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