Transcatheter embolization of pseudoaneurysms complicating pancreatitis.
OBJECTIVE
To evaluate the therapeutic role of angiography in patients with pseudoaneurysms complicating pancreatitis.


METHODS
Thirteen symptomatic pseudoaneurysms were treated in nine patients with pancreatitis. Eight patients had chronic pancreatitis and pseudocyst and one had acute pancreatitis. Clinical presentation included gastrointestinal bleeding in seven patients and epigastric pain without bleeding in two. All patients underwent transcatheter embolization.


RESULTS
Transcatheter embolization resulted in symptomatic resolution in all patients. Rebleeding occurred in two patients, 18 and 28 days after embolization respectively, and was successfully treated by repeated embolization. One patient with severe pancreatitis died from sepsis 28 days after embolization. Follow-up was then available for eight patients with no relapse of bleeding after a mean follow-up of 32 months (range 9-48 months).


CONCLUSIONS
Transcatheter embolization is safe and effective in the management of pseudoaneurysms complicating pancreatitis.
Golzarian
J
J
Department of Radiology, Brussels University, Hôpital Erasme, 808 Route de Lennik, B-1070 Brussels, Belgium.
Nicaise
N
N
Devière
J
J
Ghysels
M
M
Wery
D
D
Dussaussois
L
L
Van Gansbeke
D
D
Struyven
J
J
D000208:Acute Disease; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D017541:Aneurysm, False / Q000628:therapy*; D017542:Aneurysm, Ruptured / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000628:therapy; D000792:Angiography / Q000295:instrumentation*; D002760:Cholangiopancreatography, Endoscopic Retrograde; D002908:Chronic Disease; D004621:Embolization, Therapeutic / Q000295:instrumentation*; D005260:Female; D006471:Gastrointestinal Hemorrhage / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000628:therapy; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010179:Pancreas / Q000098:blood supply*; D010195:Pancreatitis / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000628:therapy*; D019512:Pancreatitis, Alcoholic / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000628:therapy