Hemosuccus pancreaticus secondary to ruptured splenic artery aneurysm

A case is presented of a ruptured splenic artery aneurysm communicating with the main pancreatic duct which resulted in obscure upper gastrointestinal bleeding. Bipolar ligation of the splenic artery and excision of the pseudoaneurysm was curative. The location of the splenic artery makes it especially vulnerable to aneurysmal formation in patients with pancreatitis. It is recommended that early arteriography be obtained in patients with obscure upper gastrointestinal bleeding. If the splenic artery aneurysm is located in the mid-portion of the vessel, partial pancreatectomy and splenectomy are not necessary to effect a cure.