Sudden death due to non-traumatic rupture of splenic artery aneurysm

INTRODUCTION

Splenic artery aneurysm is a rare form of vascular pathology that carries a high risk of mortality once it gets ruptured. It has a prevalence of 1% and occurs due to thinning and dilatation of the arterial wall.

CASE

We describe a case of a 35-year-old policeman who died suddenly. At medico-legal autopsy, intraperitoneal clotted blood about 1000 g and liquid blood about 3000 ml were seen. On further exploration, ruptured splenic artery aneurysm about 2.0 cm in diameter became visible near the hilum.

CONCLUSION

Rare cases typically present as sudden and unexpected death with intraperitoneal bleed and may be confused with blunt trauma abdomen. Therefore, splenic artery aneurysm is an appropriate differential diagnosis for sudden deaths and intraperitoneal bleeding, respectively.

Ruptured spontaneous splenic artery aneurysm: A case report and review of the literature

INTRODUCTION

Splenic artery aneurysm is a rare condition, however, potentially fatal. The importance of splenic artery aneurysm lies in the risk for rupture and life threatening hemorrhage.

PRESENTATION OF CASE

This is a case of a ruptured splenic artery aneurysm in a 58-year-old lady. She presented with hypovolemic shock and intra-peritoneal bleeding. Diagnosis was confirmed by CT angiography and she was managed by operative ligation of the aneurysm with splenectomy and distal pancreatectomy.

DISCUSSION

The literature pointed the presence of some risk factors correlating to the development of splenic artery aneurysm. In this article we discuss a rare case of spontaneous (idiopathic) splenic artery aneurysm and review the literature of this challenging surgical condition.

CONCLUSION

Splenic artery aneurysm needs prompt diagnosis and management to achieve a favorable outcome, high index of suspicion is needed to make the diagnosis in the absence of known risk factors.