title: Rupture of splenic artery aneurysm in pregnancy: a review of the literature and report of two cases.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Splenic artery aneurysms are an uncommon form of vascular disease, which have a significant potential for rupture, most commonly associated with pregnancy, typically presents as sudden, unexpected death. As a consequence, the initial recognition and diagnosis of splenic artery aneurysm rupture take place only at autopsy.
  
  
  METHODS
  This report presents 2 cases of sudden death resulting from splenic artery aneurysm in a pregnant woman and a postpartum woman, respectively. The former splenic artery aneurysm were measuring 1 cm in diameter and the latter splenic artery aneurysm 5.5 x 5 x 2 cm in size. Histologic examination of the both vessels wall showed severe morphologic changes of degeneration together with an attenuation of arterial internal elastica.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  To our knowledge, splenic artery aneurysm in pregnant woman is unusual vital disease. It is essential that obstetricians are alert to the prodromal and catastrophic symptoms of splenic artery aneurysm. Early recognition and prompt management, including early resected electively, are vital to the survival of both mother and fetus.
authors.affiliation: Department of Pathology, Changhai Hospital, Second Military Medical University, Shanghai, China.
authors.forename: Miao-Xia
authors.initials: MX
authors.lastname: He
authors.forename: Jian-Ming
authors.initials: JM
authors.lastname: Zheng
authors.forename: Shu-Hui
authors.initials: SH
authors.lastname: Zhang
authors.forename: Jian-Jun
authors.initials: JJ
authors.lastname: Wang
authors.forename: Wei-Qiang
authors.initials: WQ
authors.lastname: Liu
authors.forename: Ming-Hua
authors.initials: MH
authors.lastname: Zhu
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D017542:Aneurysm, Ruptured / Q000473:pathology*; D003645:Death, Sudden / Q000209:etiology*; D005260:Female; D049429:Forensic Pathology; D006801:Humans; D011247:Pregnancy; D011248:Pregnancy Complications / Q000473:pathology*; D011644:Puerperal Disorders / Q000473:pathology*; D013157:Splenic Artery / Q000473:pathology*