Spontaneous Celiac Artery Dissection with Splenic Infarction: A Report of Two Cases

Area of Science:

• Vascular Surgery
• Radiology
• Gastroenterology

Background:

• Spontaneous isolated celiac artery dissection (SICAD) is a rare vascular condition.
• Established therapeutic guidelines for SICAD with splenic infarction are lacking.
• SICAD can present with severe abdominal pain and potential complications like lumen occlusion.

Observation:

• Two patients presented with acute abdominal pain, diagnosed with SICAD and splenic infarction via CT.
• Both patients received conservative management including bowel rest and anticoagulants.
• Symptoms resolved within a week of medical therapy.

Findings:

• Follow-up CT confirmed no progression of the dissection flap.
• Patients remained symptom-free after a 3-month course of oral anticoagulants.
• Splenic infarction alone did not necessitate endovascular or surgical intervention.

Implications:

• Anticoagulant therapy may be a viable treatment option for SICAD with splenic infarction.
• Conservative management can be effective, avoiding invasive procedures.
• Further research is warranted to establish definitive treatment protocols for SICAD.