Skip to main page content
U.S. flag

An official website of the United States government

Dot gov

The .gov means it’s official.
Federal government websites often end in .gov or .mil. Before sharing sensitive information, make sure you’re on a federal government site.

Https

The site is secure.
The https:// ensures that you are connecting to the official website and that any information you provide is encrypted and transmitted securely.

Access keys NCBI Homepage MyNCBI Homepage Main Content Main Navigation
. 2018 Aug 24:8:37.
doi: 10.4103/jcis.JCIS_21_18. eCollection 2018.

Contrast-enhanced Computed Tomography Imaging of Splenic Artery Aneurysms and Pseudoaneurysms: A Single-center Experience

Jacob Therakathu  1 , Hirenkumar Kamleshkumar Panwala  1 , Salil Bhargava  1 , Anu Eapen  1 , Shyamkumar Nidugala Keshava  1 , Deepu David  2
Affiliations

Contrast-enhanced Computed Tomography Imaging of Splenic Artery Aneurysms and Pseudoaneurysms: A Single-center Experience

Jacob Therakathu et al. J Clin Imaging Sci. .

Abstract

Aim: The aim of our study was to evaluate the computed tomography (CT) imaging features of splenic artery aneurysm and pseudoaneurysm and to identify the disease conditions related to the same. We also wanted to ascertain any relationship between these associated disease conditions and the imaging features of the aneurysms.

Materials and methods: This retrospective study included patients diagnosed to have splenic artery aneurysms on contrast-enhanced CT examination between January 2001 and January 2016. Data were obtained from the picture archiving and communication system. The size, number, location, morphology, the presence of thrombosis, calcification, and rupture of the aneurysms were evaluated.

Results: A total of 45 patients were identified with a mean age of 45 years. Splenic artery aneurysms were idiopathic in 12 (26.6%) patients. In the remaining patients, the main associated disease conditions included pancreatitis 15 (33%), chronic liver disease with portal hypertension 8 (18%), and extrahepatic portal vein obstruction (EHPVO) 6 (13%). Statistically significant findings included the relationship between EHPVO and multiple aneurysms (P = 0.002), chronic liver disease and fusiform aneurysm (P = 0.008), and smaller size of idiopathic aneurysms (P < 0.001).

Conclusion: Based on this study, splenic artery aneurysms were associated with a variety of etiologies. The characteristics of the aneurysms such as size, location, and morphology vary with the associated disease conditions. These variations may have implications for the management.

Keywords: Aneurysms; computed tomography; splenic artery.

PubMed Disclaimer

Conflict of interest statement

There are no conflicts of interest.

Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
A 56-year-old male with chronic liver disease and portal hypertension presenting with hematemesis (a and b). Contrast-enhanced computed tomography of the upper abdomen shows multiple fusiform aneurysms arising from the splenic artery with some showing peripheral calcification (arrow). (c) Computed tomography image shows irregular liver with enlarged portal vein and spleen, s/o chronic liver disease with portal hypertension.
Figure 2
Figure 2
A 26-year-old female with extrahepatic portal vein obstruction presenting with abdominal distension. Postcontrast computed tomography of upper abdomen shows multiple fusiform splenic artery aneurysms.
Figure 3
Figure 3
A 50-year-old male presenting with altered bowel habit. Contrast-enhanced computed tomography of upper abdomen shows incidental splenic artery aneurysm with peripheral calcification (arrow).
Figure 4
Figure 4
A 40-year-old male with chronic pancreatitis presenting with abdominal pain. Contrast-enhanced computed tomography of upper abdomen shows partially thrombosed (arrow) saccular aneurysm arising from the distal third of the splenic artery.
Figure 5
Figure 5
A 46-year-old male with chronic pancreatitis presenting with abdominal pain and distension. (a) Plain computed tomography shows features of chronic calcific pancreatitis with multiple calcifications in the pancreatic parenchyma. (b and c) Arterial phase postcontrast computed tomography and angiogram shows pseudoaneurysm arising from the middle third of the splenic artery (arrow). (d) Postcoiling angiogram with no opacification of the aneurysm.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

References

    1. Pasha SF, Gloviczki P, Stanson AW, Kamath PS. Splanchnic artery aneurysms. Mayo Clin Proc. 2007;82:472–9. - PubMed
    1. Agrawal GA, Johnson PT, Fishman EK. Splenic artery aneurysms and pseudoaneurysms: Clinical distinctions and CT appearances. AJR Am J Roentgenol. 2007;188:992–9. - PubMed
    1. Stanley JC, Thompson NW, Fry WJ. Splanchnic artery aneurysms. Arch Surg. 1970;101:689–97. - PubMed
    1. Tessier DJ, Stone WM, Fowl RJ, Abbas MA, Andrews JC, Bower TC, et al. Clinical features and management of splenic artery pseudoaneurysm: Case series and cumulative review of literature. J Vasc Surg. 2003;38:969–74. - PubMed
    1. Trastek VF, Pairolero PC, Joyce JW, Hollier LH, Bernatz PE. Splenic artery aneurysms. Surgery. 1982;91:694–9. - PubMed