title: Visceral artery aneurysms.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Visceral artery aneurysms are rare vascular malformations and the literature lacks satisfactory general information about the pathology. The aim of this study was to review our experiences in the diagnosis and treatment of visceral artery aneurysms.
  
  
  METHODS
  We retrospectively reviewed data on 10 patients who were diagnosed with visceral artery aneurysms at our institution between June 2002 and September 2005. All available clinical, pathologic, and postoperative data were reviewed and analyzed for postoperative outcome.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Four splenic artery aneurysms, 2 hepatic artery aneurysms, 5 renal artery aneurysms, 1 superior mesenteric artery aneurysm, and 1 inferior mesenteric artery aneurysm (13 total visceral artery aneurysms) were diagnosed in 10 patients. All the patients were treated except 1 patient with bilateral renal artery aneurysms. One patient required emergent surgical treatment due to splenic artery aneurysm rupture. Only 1 patient underwent endovascular treatment (ie, coil embolization for a superior mesenteric artery aneurysm); otherwise all the patients were treated surgically on an elective basis. Surgical treatment modalities included ligation with exclusion in 4 patients (2 splenic artery aneurysms, 1 renal artery aneurysm, 1 hepatic artery aneurysm) and resection with revascularization in 4 patients (1 splenic artery aneurysm, 2 renal artery aneurysms, 1 hepatic artery aneurysm, 1 inferior mesenteric artery aneurysm). Histopathologic examination of the vascular materials revealed major atherosclerotic changes except one that showed inflammatory vasculitic changes. One patient required bleeding revision, and mortality did not occur in any of the patients.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Visceral artery aneurysms are rare and potentially life-threatening vascular disorders. The number of cases diagnosed every year increases because of advanced radiologic diagnostic methods and screening programs. Careful consideration and early management of these malformations can be life saving.
authors.affiliation: Cardiovascular Surgery Service, Bezm-I Alem Vakif Gureba Hospital, Istanbul, Turkey.
authors.forename: Yusuf
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Kalko
authors.forename: Murat
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Ugurlucan
authors.forename: Murat
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Basaran
authors.forename: Eylul
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Kafali
authors.forename: Unal
authors.initials: U
authors.lastname: Aydin
authors.forename: Ulku
authors.initials: U
authors.lastname: Kafa
authors.forename: Taylan
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Kosker
authors.forename: Ozerdem
authors.initials: O
authors.lastname: Ozcaliskan
authors.forename: Erdal
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Yilmaz
authors.forename: Ufuk
authors.initials: U
authors.lastname: Alpagut
authors.forename: Tahsin
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Yasar
authors.forename: Enver
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Dayioglu
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000783:Aneurysm / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000628:therapy; D005260:Female; D006499:Hepatic Artery; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008638:Mesenteric Arteries; D017537:Mesenteric Artery, Inferior; D017538:Mesenteric Artery, Superior; D008875:Middle Aged; D012077:Renal Artery; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D013152:Splanchnic Circulation; D013157:Splenic Artery