Infective aneurysm of the inferior pancreaticoduodenal artery

Abstract

Introduction Pancreaticoduodenal (PD) artery aneurysms account for less than 2% of all splanchnic aneurysms. A mycotic aetiology is extremely uncommon. Two weeks following an episode of sepsis related to a prostatic biopsy, a 59-year-old man presented with abdominal pain and anaemia. Ultrasonography and computed tomography revealed an inferior PD artery pseudoaneurysm with an associated mesenteric root haematoma. This was treated successfully by transcatheter embolisation. Infective pseudoaneurysms of the PD artery are rare but can be associated with rupture into the gastrointestinal tract or retroperitoneum. Transcatheter embolisation remains the most effective therapy as it is associated with low morbidity and mortality rates and recurrence is very unlikely provided the aneurysm is completely excluded from the circulation.