[Rupture of a superior mesenteric artery aneurysm in pediatric age: case report and literature review]

Splanchnic artery aneurysms are rare in children. High mortality from rupture justifies its treatment, with various therapeutic options among which stand out surgery and recently, endovascular treatment.

A 11 year old girl presented with abdominal pain and sudden drop in hematocrit. The urgent abdominal CT angiography showed a saccular aneurysm of the superior mesenteric artery (SMA) at 4 cm from the ostium with dissection and active bleeding. A selective angiography was performed which confirmed the dissection. A self-expanding stent was placed in the main trunk of the SMA and a transcatheter coil and onyx embolization of the aneurysm was performed. The control angiogram showed no evidence of residual perfusion of the false lumen and demonstrated proper vascularization of the distal jejunum-ileal branches. Dual antiplatelet therapy with aspirin and dipyridamole was begun. After 24 months of follow-up the patient is asymptomatic.

Endovascular treatment of a SMA aneurysm is effective in the pediatric patient, even in emergency situations.