Segmental Mediolytic Arteriopathy With Post-transplant Lymphoproliferative Disorder of the Lung: Case Report and Review of the Literature

Fatal hemorrhage after tonsillectomy

This is the first report of a segmental mediolysis occurring in arterioles, affecting the neck/tonsillar region and leading to a fatal hemorrhage after a tonsillectomy in a 20-year-old woman. Arteriolar mediolysis could be observed in tissue layers about 2 cm distant from the tonsillectomy region. Reparative changes were observed in the carotid and small neck arteries as well as in only one intramyocardial arteriole; however, no other vascular regions typically reported in segmental mediolysis arteriopathy were affected and aneurysm formation was not observed. No family history of vascular disease or hypertension was known. Pathophysiologically, previously reported reasons for post-tonsillectomy bleeding could be excluded. Segmental mediolysis may represent a wider spectrum of affected arteriolar vessels besides the reported small and medium sized arteries leading to aneurysms, which impedes radiographic diagnosis.

Longitudinal Evaluation of Segmental Arterial Mediolysis in Splanchnic Arteries: Case Series and Systematic Review

BACKGROUND

Segmental arterial mediolysis (SAM) is a rare non-atherosclerotic, non-inflammatory vascular disorder varying widely in clinical course. The purpose of this study is to analyze detailing clinical and imaging manifestations over time in patients with SAM through a literature review and to suggest an optimal management strategy.

METHODS

A retrospective review of eight consecutive patients diagnosed with SAM between January, 2000 and January, 2012 was conducted. All presented with acute-onset abdominal or flank pain. Clinical features, imaging studies, and laboratory findings served as grounds for diagnosis, having excluded more common conditions (ie, fibromuscular dysplasia, collagen vascular disorders, or arteritis). CT angiography was done initially and repeated periodically (Week 1, Month 3, then yearly). Treatment was conservative, utilizing endovascular intervention as warranted by CT diagnostics. In a related systematic review, all English literature from 1976 to 2015 was screened via the PubMed database, assessing patient demographics, affected arteries, clinical presentations, and treatment methods.

FINDINGS

Ultimately, 25 arterial lesions identified in eight patients (median age, 62.8 years; range, 40-84 years) were monitored for a median period of 26 months (range, 15-57 months). At baseline, celiac axis (3/8, 37.5%), superior mesenteric (4/8, 50%), and common hepatic (2/8, 25%) arteries were involved, in addition to isolated lesions of right renal, splenic, right colic, middle colic, gastroduodenal, left gastric, right gastroepiploic, proper hepatic, right hepatic, and left hepatic arteries. Compared with prior publications, celiac axis and superior mesenteric artery were more commonly affected in cohort. Arterial dissections (n = 8), aneurysms (n = 5), stenoses or occlusions (n = 4), and a single pseudoaneurysm were documented. Despite careful conservative management, new splanchnic arterial lesions (n = 4) arose during follow-up. Considering the few available reports of new arterial lesions in the literature, newly developing pathology is a distinctive feature of our patients, four of whom eventually required endovascular interventions.

CONCLUSIONS

Careful clinical observation via periodic CT angiography is required in patients with SAM, checking for newly developing lesions. The natural history of SAM should be clarified in a larger patient population.

Segmental arterial mediolysis: a systematic review of 85 cases

BACKGROUND

Segmental arterial mediolysis (SAM) is a nonatherosclerotic, noninflammatory arteriopathy of unknown etiology with life-threatening manifestations. With advances in endovascular techniques, SAM is increasingly being managed without the need for major surgery.

METHODS

A systematic review of the literature published on SAM between 1976 and 2012 was performed, focusing on arterial involvement, diagnostic imaging modalities, mortality and morbidity rates, and in particular treatment outcomes with open versus endovascular intervention.

RESULTS

Sixty-two studies reporting on 85 cases of SAM were reviewed. Sixty-nine percent of cases were diagnosed histologically (24% on autopsy). Angiography was the most common form of diagnostic imaging modality (56% of cases). Arterial involvement was largely abdominal or cranial, with splenic arterial involvement being the most prevalent (29% of cases). There was a total SAM-related mortality of 26%. Endovascular intervention, most commonly in the form of coil embolization of aneurysmal vessel(s), was successful in 88% of cases where attempted, with no reported mortality. There was a mortality rate of 9% where open surgery was attempted.

CONCLUSIONS

Catheter-based endovascular techniques can be a successful, minimally invasive treatment option in the management of this potentially life-threatening condition, and may also provide a temporary bailout measure in the acute phase before definitive surgical treatment at a later stage.