Visceral Arteries Aneurysms: Review of the Literature

Abstract

Aneurysms of the visceral arteries are a rare pathology, characterized by a combination of asymptomatic disease course with the risk of life-threatening complication – rupture and hemorrhage. Currently, due to availability and extensive use of ultrasound, computed tomography (CT) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), early and accurate diagnosis of aneurysms of the visceral arteries has become possible. In some cases the pathology is discovered incidentally during examination for other diseases. Development of angiographic and laparoscopic techniques has opened new possibilities in the treatment of visceral arteries aneurysms, i.e. minimally invasive interventions. In this review of the literature, we present current data on epidemiology, etiology, clinical course and treatment of visceral arteries aneurysms with close attention paid to diagnostic problems.