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Splenic artery--pancreatic duct fistula
The Australian and New Zealand Journal of Surgery
|April 1, 1980
Summary
A rare fistula between the splenic artery and pancreatic duct caused severe rectal bleeding. Angiography is key for diagnosis and treatment, with surgical resection offering a cure.
Area of Science:
- Gastroenterology
- Vascular Surgery
- Diagnostic Imaging
Background:
- Unexplained severe rectal bleeding can present diagnostic challenges.
- Fistulas between vascular structures and the pancreatic duct are rare but critical conditions.
Observation:
- A patient presented with recurrent severe rectal bleeding.
- The bleeding was attributed to an arteriovenous fistula between the splenic artery and the pancreatic duct.
Findings:
- Conventional investigations failed to diagnose the cause of bleeding.
- Angiographic assessment was crucial for identifying the splenic artery-pancreatic duct fistula.
- Surgical resection of the aneurysm with distal pancreatectomy and splenectomy proved curative.
Implications:
- Highlights the importance of advanced imaging in diagnosing obscure gastrointestinal bleeding.
- Emphasizes the need for considering rare vascular anomalies in complex cases.
- Demonstrates the efficacy of surgical intervention for arteriovenous fistulas involving the pancreas.