Late manifestation of hepatic artery pseudoaneurysm: case presentation and review

Pseudoaneurysms of the hepatic artery are a rare cause for upper gastrointestinal hemorrhage and usually become clinically evident within 5 months from the inciting traumatic event. We report a case of recurrent massive upper gastrointestinal hemorrhage from a hepatic artery pseudoaneurysm sustained in an automobile accident 2 yr before the first episode of bleeding. Difficulty in early diagnosis and treatment of hepatic artery aneurysm remain the major reason for the associated high mortality. Angiography has proven to be the most consistent and effective method of diagnosis. Treatment is surgical.