Transcatheter embolization as primary treatment for visceral pseudoaneurysms in pancreatitis: clinical outcome and imaging follow up.
BACKGROUND
Pseudoaneurysm formation is an uncommon but fatal complication of pancreatitis. The morbidity and mortality associated with surgical management is high. Transcatheter embolization is a definitive minimally invasive form of treatment.


OBJECTIVE
To review our experience with transcatheter embolization as a therapeutic modality for pseudoaneurysms complicating pancreatitis.


METHODS
This retrospective analysis included data of 30 patients (mean age 37 years, range 25 to 65; 24 men) with visceral pseudoaneurysms secondary to pancreatitis, who underwent diagnostic angiography and transcatheter embolization, during the period March 1993 to February 2003.


RESULTS
In 29 patients the pseudoaneurysms were successfully isolated from the circulation, and hemostasis was achieved. Re-bleeding occurred in one patient, for which re-embolization was done. Twenty-nine patients improved clinically. One patient in whom the pseudoaneurysm was successfully embolized died due to septicemic shock.


CONCLUSIONS
Endovascular embolization is a safe and effective non-surgical modality of treatment for visceral pseudoaneurysms complicating pancreatitis.
Deshmukh
Hemant
H
Department of Radiology, King Edward VII Memorial Hospital, Mumbai 400 012.
Rathod
Krantikumar
K
Garg
Ashwin
A
Sheth
Rahul
R
Kulkarni
Suyash
S
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D017541:Aneurysm, False / Q000150:complications / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000628:therapy*; D000792:Angiography / Q000379:methods; D002404:Catheterization; D002445:Celiac Artery; D002648:Child; D004621:Embolization, Therapeutic / Q000379:methods*; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006471:Gastrointestinal Hemorrhage / Q000150:complications / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000628:therapy*; D006801:Humans; D008638:Mesenteric Arteries; D008875:Middle Aged; D010195:Pancreatitis / Q000150:complications* / Q000175:diagnosis; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D018570:Risk Assessment; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D015996:Survival Rate; D016896:Treatment Outcome