Splenic artery tortuosity simulating a splenic artery aneurysm

Area of Science:

• Radiology
• Vascular Surgery
• Gastroenterology

Background:

• Splenic artery aneurysms (SAAs) are the most common splanchnic artery aneurysms.
• They are often identified incidentally on imaging studies.
• Concentric calcifications in the left-upper quadrant are a classic radiographic sign of SAAs.

Observation:

• Radiographic findings of concentric calcifications in the left-upper abdominal quadrant can be misleading.
• A case is presented where a calcified, tortuous splenic artery mimicked the appearance of an SAA.
• This highlights the importance of considering differential diagnoses for calcified lesions.

Findings:

• The presented case demonstrates that not all concentric calcifications in the left-upper quadrant represent SAAs.
• A calcified tortuous splenic artery can radiographically simulate the characteristic calcifications of an SAA.
• Definitive imaging is crucial for accurate diagnosis.

Implications:

• Misdiagnosis can lead to unnecessary interventions or delayed treatment of actual SAAs.
• Radiologists and clinicians should maintain a high index of suspicion for alternative diagnoses when encountering suspicious calcifications.
• Advanced imaging modalities are essential for confirming the diagnosis of SAA and differentiating it from other calcified vascular structures.