Endovascular Repair of Anomalous Splenic Artery Aneurysm with Systemic Lupus Erythematosus

Endovascular Strategies and Outcomes for Aberrant Splenic Artery Aneurysms

OBJECTIVES

Aberrant splenic artery aneurysms (ASAAs) located at the splenomesenteric trunk (SMT) and the celiacomesenteric trunk have a close anatomical relationship with the superior mesenteric artery (SMA). The aim of this study was to review our institutional experience of endovascular treatment for ASAAs and evaluate the long-term outcomes.

METHODS

A retrospective review of patients with ASAAs who underwent endovascular treatment between December 2006 and December 2022 was performed. The demographics of the patients, aneurysm characteristics, treatment strategies, perioperative and long-term outcomes, and complications were analyzed.

RESULTS

A total of 29 patients with ASAAs were endovascularly treated at our institution. The SMT variant occurred in the majority of the patients. All ASAAs were characterized by eccentric growth and extremely short inflow arteries. Only 1 patient's inflow artery of the aneurysm exceeded 1 cm in length. Thirteen patients were treated by coil embolization alone. Four patients received bare stent-assisted coil embolization. A combination of coil embolization and covered stent placement across the orifice of the aberrant splenic artery was performed in the remaining 12 cases. Coil migration into the SMA occurred in 2 patients during the operation. Technical success was achieved in all patients. With a median duration of 63 (34-101) months of follow-up, no intestinal ischemia, aneurysm-related death, aneurysm rupture, or sac enlargement occurred. Three cases of aneurysm sac reperfusion were observed, and 1 patient underwent reintervention with secondary embolization. Asymptomatic occlusion of the covered stent was detected in 1 patient at 2 years.

CONCLUSIONS

Endovascular treatment is a safe, effective, and durable option for ASAAs. Inflow embolization might be difficult to achieve in ASAAs and poses a high risk of coil migration into the SMA. Long-term observation indicates that reasonable use of the covered stent could achieve reliable inflow artery exclusion in ASAAs without intestinal complications.

CLINICAL IMPACT

Aberrant splenic artery aneurysm (ASAA) is an extremely rare entity. This study reported a large sample size of ASAAs treated by endovascular techniques with long-term follow-up. The ASAA was characterized by an extremely short inflow artery and a close anatomical relationship with the superior mesenteric artery (SMA). Endovascular treatment is a safe, effective, and durable option for ASAAs. Inflow embolization might be difficult to achieve in ASAAs and pose a high risk of coil migration into the SMA. Long-term observation indicates that reasonable use of the covered stent could achieve reliable inflow artery exclusion in ASAAs without intestinal complications.

Endovascular Treatment of Aberrant Splenic Artery Aneurysm Presenting With Painless Progressive Jaundice: A Case Report and Literature Review

Splenic artery (SA) originating from the superior mesenteric artery is a rare condition, and aneurysms in relation to this aberrant SA are even rarer. We reported the case of a 67-year-old female who presented with painless progressive jaundice for 2 months accompanied by thrombocytopenia and liver dysfunction. The computed tomographic angiography (CTA) showed an aberrant SAA located behind the pancreatic head along with the dilation of common bile duct. Stent-graft deployment in SMA and coil embolization of the aneurysm were performed. Her liver dysfunction and thrombocytopenia improved postoperatively. CTA at 2-year follow-up showed patency of stent-graft and SMA and the shrinkage of the excluded aneurysm sac. Considering the particular location of the aneurysm, painless progressive jaundice can be the initial symptom for the aberrant SAAs. This combined endovascular technique completely excluded the aneurysm and was beneficial for treating secondary liver dysfunction and thrombocytopenia.