Splenic infarction complicating ligation of a gastroduodenal artery aneurysm.
BACKGROUND
Aneurysms of visceral arteries are rare, but may lead to dramatic situations of intraabdominal or retroperitoneal hemorrhage in case of rupture.


METHODS
We report the case of a 72-year-old patient who developed a hemorrhagic shock following a total hip replacement due to the rupture of an aneurysm of the gastroduodenal artery. Angiography also demonstrated a high-grade stenosis of the celiac trunk. The ruptured aneurysm was ligated as a live-saving procedure, but due to the stenosis in the celiac trunk the patient developed a splenic infarction followed by partial tissue liquefication. This was treated conservatively and after 3 months, the computed tomography showed an atrophic residual spleen.


CONCLUSIONS
Diagnostic and therapeutic approaches to visceral vascular aneurysms are discussed including the potential complications of splenic infarction.
Schweizer
W
W
Department of Surgery, Kantonsspital Schaffhausen (Head: Dr. W. Schweizer), Switzerland.
Gries
N C
NC
Maddern
G
G
Triller
J
J
D000368:Aged; D000783:Aneurysm / Q000601:surgery*; D017542:Aneurysm, Ruptured / Q000601:surgery*; D004386:Duodenum / Q000098:blood supply; D006801:Humans; D008026:Ligation; D008297:Male; D011183:Postoperative Complications / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000209:etiology; D011859:Radiography; D013159:Splenic Infarction / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000209:etiology*; D013270:Stomach / Q000098:blood supply