Hemoperitoneum secondary to rupture of cystic artery pseudoaneurysm

Abstract

Background: Spontaneous hemoperitoneum of hepatobiliary origin is commonly due to hemorrhage from a liver tumor. It is rarely caused by spontaneous rupture of aneurysm in visceral arteries.

Methods: We report an unusual case of hemoperitoneum caused by rupture of cystic artery pseudoaneurysm, and also outline the approach to its management through surgical and radiological methods.

Results: In our patient, the pseudoanurysm was initially treated with percutaneous thrombin injection. However this method of treatment failed after initial success. The pseudoanurysm was finally obliterated successfully using microcoil embolization.

Conclusions: The mainstay of treatment of cystic artery pseudoaneurysm is cholecystectomy and ligation of the aneurysm. Recent publications showed success in using microcoil embolisation. In this case we also outline the use of percutaneous thrombin injection as a definitive treatment method and discuss its success or failure as a new method of treatment.