Giant Splenic Artery Aneurysm as a Rare Sequelae of Chronic Pancreatitis

Abstract

Splenic Artery Aneurysms (SAAs) is the third commonest intra-abdominal aneurysms, following abdominal aorta and iliac artery aneurysms. The SAAs can be either true aneuryms or pseudoaneurysms. SAA measuring >5 cm are generally described as giant. Herein, a case of giant SAA is presented. A 52-year-old male patient with history of alcohol related chronic pancreatitis for the past five years presented with abdominal pain and upper abdominal fullness. Computed Tomography (CT) abdomen was suggestive of giant splenic aneursymal mass. Surgical treatment was planned due to the large size and symptomatic nature of the aneurysm. Splenic artery aneurysmectomy with distal pancreatectomy with splenectomy was performed. The most important and critical complication of giant SAA is spontaneous rupture which has high mortality. Open abdominal surgical excision is still the gold standard for management of giant splenic artery aneuryms, despite recent advances in endovascular treatment options.