[Splanchnic vein aneurysms: a report of 13 cases].
OBJECTIVE
Splanchnic vein aneurysms are a rare and poorly known entity. From a review of 13 cases and reports from the literature, we have defined the imaging features and modalities for their diagnosis and management.


METHODS
Retrospective study of 13 patients (7 females, 6 males, mean age of 53.5 years) who presented between 1993 and 2005 with splanchnic vein aneurysms. All patient charts were reviewed to collect and analyze epidemiological data, underlying etiologies, imaging work-up for diagnosis and management. Aneurysms were defined as fusiform or saccular enlargement of the portal venous vein or its branches, superior mesenteric vein and splenic vein.


RESULTS
A total of 16 splanchnic vein aneurysms were identified. Four patients had portal venous hypertension. The imaging work-up was variable and included mainly non-invasive modalities (US: 8 patients; CTA: 8 patients and MRA: 9 patients) and conventional angiography in 2 patients. Eight aneurysms involved the portal vein (50%), 5 the splenic vein (31.3%), and 3 the superior mesenteric vein (18.7%). None of the patients underwent surgical or endovascular management. Imaging follow-up was performed in 12 patients, with no interval change over time with up to 10 years follow-up.


CONCLUSIONS
In our series, the portal vein was most frequently involved. Diagnosis was exclusively based on imaging and management was limited to follow-up.
Weber
G
G
Service de Radiologie Digestive, Hôpital Edouard Herriot, pavillon GHN (Pr Pilleul F), Place d'Arsonval, 69003 Lyon, France.
Milot
L
L
Kamaoui
I
I
Pilleul
F
F
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000783:Aneurysm / Q000175:diagnosis*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D014680:Veins; D014781:Viscera / Q000098:blood supply*