Spontaneous ruptured splenic artery aneurysm: A case report
Hong Kong Journal of Emergency Medicine, vol.20, no.4, pp.248-250, 2013 (SCI-Expanded, Scopus)
- Publication Type: Article / Article
- Volume: 20 Issue: 4
- Publication Date: 2013
- Doi Number: 10.1177/102490791302000410
- Journal Name: Hong Kong Journal of Emergency Medicine
- Journal Indexes: Science Citation Index Expanded (SCI-EXPANDED), Scopus
- Page Numbers: pp.248-250
- Keywords: Arterial dissection, diagnostic imaging, diagnostic errors, splenic artery, spontaneous rupture
- Dokuz Eylül University Affiliated: No
Abstract
Splenic artery aneurysms are rare and occur predominantly in women. Most of them are asymptomatic until the aneurysms rupture. We report a previously healthy 46-year-old female who attended emergency department with abdominal pain for four hours. She had left upper quadrant tenderness and pulsatile mass. Laboratory tests showed her haematocrit 29.8%. Subsequent examinations with ultrasound and computed tomography (CT) showed a large aneurysm of the splenic artery and a heterogeneous hypodense shadows around the aneurysmal sac and perihepatic area. Just after CT scan she collapsed and was taken into emergency surgery. Splenectomy was performed following the ligation of splenic artery proximal to lesion. On the fifth day, she was discharged from the hospital with complete recovery. This case report highlights that rapid resuscitation, diagnostic imaging, surgical consultation, and subsequent laparotomy remain the priorities in patient management.