Embolization of two bleeding aneurysms with platinum coils in a patient with polyarteritis nodosa

We describe a patient with polyarteritis nodosa who developed a large retroperitoneal hemorrhage from a ruptured suprarenal capsule artery aneurysm. Platinum coils were embolized selectively during arteriography and successfully controlled the aneurysmal bleeding. The vasculitis was controlled ten weeks later but our patient developed anemia and computerized tomography scan revealed a large retrogastric hemorrhage. A further arteriogram confirmed the presence of a ruptured gastric coronary artery aneurysm. A second embolization was performed with complete success. Selective embolization of small arteries with coils should be considered a good alternative to surgery in patients with polyarteritis nodosa and hemorrhage from a ruptured aneurysm; arteriography may be considered a potent diagnostic and therapeutic tool in the management of the treatment of polyarteritis nodosa.