Transcatheter embolization of splenic artery pseudo-aneurysm rupturing into colon after post-operative pancreatitis

Superselective transcatheter arterial embolization in patients with acute peripancreatic bleeding complications: review of 44 cases

PURPOSE

To evaluate the efficacy of superselective transcatheter arterial embolization (TAE) in the treatment of acute peripancreatic bleeding complications.

METHODS

During a 9-year period, 44 patients with acute bleeding of the peripancreatic arteries underwent TAE in our institution. Thirty-eight patients were treated using microcatheters and 6 patients with a diagnostic catheter. Embolic agents included coils (n = 38), polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) particles (n = 2), isobutyl cyanoacrylate (n = 2), coils plus PVA particles (n = 1), and coils plus isobutyl cyanoacrylate (n = 1). Outcome measures included technical success, clinical success, and the rate of complications.

RESULTS

Identified bleeding sources included gastroduodenal artery (n = 14), splenic artery (n = 9), pancreaticoduodenal artery (n = 6), common hepatic artery (n = 5), superior mesenteric artery branches (n = 4), proper hepatic artery (n = 3), and dorsal/transverse pancreatic artery (n = 3). Technical success with effective control of active bleeding was achieved in 41/44 patients (93 %). Clinical success attributed to TAE alone was documented in 40/44 patients (91 %). The rate of major complications was 2 % including death in one patient.

CONCLUSIONS

Superselective TAE allows effective, minimally invasive control of acute peripancreatic bleeding complications with a low rate of therapeutically relevant complications.

Vascular complications of pancreatitis: role of interventional therapy

Major vascular complications related to pancreatitis can cause life-threatening hemorrhage and have to be dealt with as an emergency, utilizing a multidisciplinary approach of angiography, endoscopy or surgery. These may occur secondary to direct vascular injuries, which result in the formation of splanchnic pseudoaneurysms, gastrointestinal etiologies such as peptic ulcer disease and gastroesophageal varices, and post-operative bleeding related to pancreatic surgery. In this review article, we discuss the pathophysiologic mechanisms, diagnostic modalities, and treatment of pancreatic vascular complications, with a focus on the role of minimally-invasive interventional therapies such as angioembolization, endovascular stenting, and ultrasound-guided percutaneous thrombin injection in their management.

A new flow control technique using diluted epinephrine in the N-butyl-2-cyanoacrylate embolization of visceral artery pseudoaneurysms secondary to chronic pancreatitis

Although n-butyl-2-cyanoacrylate (NBCA) has been used as an effective liquid embolization material, its indication for pseudoaneurysms has seemingly been limited because of the technical difficulties of using NBCA, such as reflux to the parent artery and causing significant infarction. Thus, considerable skill in using NBCA or a device to control blood flow during its polymerization is required to achieve embolization without severe complications. We report our new technique for controlling blood flow using diluted epinephrine in transcatheter arterial NBCA embolization of five pseudoaneurysms in four cases secondary to hemosuccus pancreaticus.

Endovascular management of visceral artery pseudoaneurysms: transcatheter coil embolization using the isolation technique

PURPOSE

To describe our experiences with treatment of visceral artery pseudoaneurysms (VAPA) by transcatheter coil embolization using an isolation technique and to propose indications for treating VAPA with this method.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

We treated 37 patients with VAPA endovascularly: There were 15 pancreaticoduodenal arcade, 10 hepatic, 5 renal, 3 splenic, and 1 each left gastric, gastroepiploic, adrenal, and superior mesenteric artery pseudoaneurysms. Preprocedure computed tomography (CT) and/or angiographic studies confirmed the presence of VAPA in all 37 patients. Using the isolation technique, we embolized vessels at sites distal and proximal to the pseudoaneurysm.

RESULTS

Transcatheter coil embolization with the isolation technique was technically successful in 33 (89%) of 37 patients, and angiogram confirmed the complete disappearance of the VAPA in 32 patients. No major complications occurred during the procedures. In a patient with a pancreaticoduodenal arcade artery pseudoaneurysm, we were unable to control hemorrhage. In 30 of 32 patients who recovered after transcatheter coil embolization using the isolation technique, follow-up CT scan showed no flow in VAPA; they survived without rebleeding. Two of the 32 patients (6%) with confirmed complete disappearance of VAPA on angiogram and CT scan obtained the day after the procedure manifested rebleeding during follow-up.

CONCLUSION

Transcatheter coil embolization using the isolation technique is an effective alternative treatment in patients with VAPA. In combination with coil embolization, the isolation technique is particularly useful in patients whose pseudoaneurysms present surgical difficulties.

Delayed rupture of a splenic artery pseudoaneurysm after biliopancreatic diversion

Splenic artery pseudoaneurysm (SAP) is a known but rare complication of pancreatitis and blunt abdominal trauma. SAP caused by operative trauma has been rarely reported. We present a patient who presented with massive upper gastrointestinal (GI) bleed in shock. On exploratory laparotomy, a SAP was diagnosed. He must have sustained injury to his splenic artery while undergoing reinforcement of sleeve gastrectomy during an open biliary pancreatic diversion procedure 2 years back. Alternatively, the prolene suture might have eroded into the splenic artery to cause the SAP. Literature on iatrogenic SAP is reviewed. SAP should be considered in patients with history of foregut surgery with GI bleed and equivocal endoscopic findings.

Embolization Coils Migrating and Being Passed per Rectum After Embolization of a Splenic Artery Pseudoaneurysm, “The Migrating Coil”: A Case Report

Acute or chronic blood loss from pseudoaneurysms of the splanchnic artery in chronic pancreatitis poses diagnostic and management challenges. Arteriographic examination offers both diagnostic and therapeutic options, with success rates of 76%-100% for both modalities. In cases of failure of embolization, repeat embolization is also an option. Surgical intervention is advocated for rebleeding and failure of embolization. Evidence-based guidelines regarding the optimal treatment modality for this condition are lacking. There has been a reported case of dislodgement of coil into the stomach through a gastropseudocystic fistula. We report the case of a migrating steel-wire coil through the gastrointestinal tract and splenic artery pseudoaneurysm. We highlight the potential complications of pseudoaneurysm and other available therapeutic management options.