Symptomatic calcified splenic artery aneurysm: Case report

Abstract

Introduction. Although the third most common aneurysm within the abdomen, after aneurysms of the aorta and iliac arteries, splenic artery aneurysms are rare, but not exceptionally. Owing to new imaging techniques, they have been discovered with increasing frequency. Case Outline. Authors present a 47-year-old woman, multipara, who presented with left upper abdominal pain in whom X-ray showed a calcified ring in the area of distal pancreas. Selective angiography confirmed a splenic artery aneurysm of its proximal part. During an open surgery the aneurysm was excised (aneurismectomy) without immediate, early or late complications. The patient became symptom-free. Conclusion. In patients, particularly women, the multiparas who present with epigastric or left upper abdominal pain of unknown aetiology, splenic artery aneurysm has to be taken into account. Further diagnostic procedures such as plain X-ray and selective angiography in suspected cases should be performed. Surgery or other treatment modalities are to be seriously considered in all patients, particularly in those with increased risk of rupture.