COVID-19-associated hepatic artery pseudoaneurysms.

Area of Science:

• Vascular Surgery
• Infectious Diseases
• Radiology

Background:

• Coronary and pulmonary artery pseudoaneurysms linked to COVID-19 are known complications.
• COVID-19-associated liver injury is reported in 14-53% of hospitalized patients.
• Hepatic artery pseudoaneurysms secondary to COVID-19 have not been previously documented.

Observation:

• A patient treated for renal cell carcinoma developed seven fusiform pseudoaneurysms in both hepatic arteries.
• The pseudoaneurysms were discovered during a follow-up CT scan after cryoablation.
• No anticoagulant or anti-inflammatory treatments were administered.

Findings:

• The vascular lesions remained stable at the 3-month follow-up CT.
• At 6 months, a proximal occlusion of the accessory right hepatic artery was observed, replacing a pseudoaneurysm.
• These findings suggest a potential link between COVID-19 and hepatic artery pseudoaneurysm formation.

Implications:

• This case introduces hepatic artery pseudoaneurysms as a novel vascular complication associated with COVID-19.
• Further research is needed to understand the pathogenesis and clinical significance of these findings.
• Radiologists and vascular surgeons should consider COVID-19 in the differential diagnosis of hepatic artery pseudoaneurysms.