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Selective embolisation of an idiopathic bronchial artery pseudoaneurysm presenting with recurrent laryngeal nerve palsy: a case report

BACKGROUND

Bronchial artery pseudoaneurysms (BAP) or aneurysms (BAA) are rare, potentially life-threatening and remain poorly understood. They are most commonly idiopathic but may be associated with a number of other disease processes. Bronchial artery embolisation (BAE) is considered the first line treatment while surgical techniques are reserved for patients with a clear contraindication to embolisation or where anatomical factors preclude an endovascular approach.

CASE PRESENTATION

We present an interesting case of a 56 year-old male presenting with an idiopathic unruptured right BAP causing clinical and radiological signs of left recurrent laryngeal nerve (RLN) palsy. He was otherwise clinically well with no other reported symptoms and no significant past medical history. There were no significant findings on work-up and investigation. He was ultimately treated successfully with selective transarterial coil embolization of the right bronchial artery. This is an atypical presentation of a rare clinical entity and has not previously been published in the literature to our knowledge.

CONCLUSIONS

BAPs and BAAs are highly variable in their presentation, ranging from incidental asymptomatic findings to catastrophic haemorrhage, depending on their location and if they are contained or ruptured. Timely diagnosis and referral to facilitate urgent embolisation is essential to prevent potentially serious clinical sequelae. Endovascular treatment in the form of BAE is considered first line.

Delayed Diagnosis and Successful Glue Embolization of a Post-Traumatic Bronchial Artery Pseudoaneurysm: A Case Report

Bronchial artery pseudoaneurysms (BAPs) are rare but potentially fatal vascular anomalies. We present a case of a 21-year-old male soldier who developed a BAP following a fall sustained during a suicide attempt. The BAP was identified on computed tomography angiography (CTA) and successfully treated with trans-arterial glue embolization. The patient's recovery was uncomplicated. To our knowledge, only one prior case of post-traumatic BAP treated with endovascular intervention has been reported in the literature (29 years ago). Due to the risk of significant morbidity and mortality associated with BAP rupture, prompt diagnosis and treatment are crucial. Endovascular embolization is a safe and effective treatment option for BAPs. This case highlights the effectiveness of glue embolization as a treatment modality for BAPs.

A Two Stage Open and Interventional Therapeutic Approach for an Inferior Pancreaticoduodenal Artery Aneurysm With Coeliac Artery Occlusion

Introduction

Visceral artery aneurysms (VAAs) are rare but have a high mortality rate in cases of rupture, especially for pancreaticoduodenal artery aneurysms (PDAAs). A hybrid approach is presented for a challenging case with inferior PDAA (iPDAA) with concomitant coeliac artery (CA) occlusion and a variant arterial supply to the liver.

Report

A 61 year old patient complained of postprandial pain associated with elevated liver enzymes and impaired hepatic synthesis capacity. The left hepatic artery (LHA) originated from an occluded CA, whereas the right hepatic artery (RHA) originated directly from the superior mesenteric artery (SMA) proximal to the iPDAA. Due to the anatomical variant, an endovascular only approach via iPDAA embolisation could have posed a critical risk to the arterial supply of the liver. Therefore, the initial plan was to first secure liver perfusion via endovascular revascularisation of the CA, before conducting a coil embolisation of the iPDAA. However, endovascular CA revascularisation failed due to a complete and fixed occlusion. As an alternative therapeutic approach, open surgical aorto-visceral autologous bypass ensured arterial supply of the liver, which now enabled safe exclusion of the iPDAA via interventional coil embolisation. This two stage hybrid strategy resulted in iPDAA exclusion and was followed by symptom relief and normalised hepatic synthesis capacity.

Discussion

This case demonstrates the continued need for open visceral bypass surgery to ensure organ perfusion, if the latter depends on an aneurysmal artery. In such a situation, visceral bypass surgery can be considered in challenging anatomical scenarios, which demonstrates the relevance of endovascular and open procedures. In conclusion, both procedures can be combined in individualised therapy approaches to maximise patient benefit.

Splenic artery pseudoaneurysm; a cause or consequence: a case report

BACKGROUND

Splenic artery pseudoaneurysm is a rare complication of recurrent pancreatitis usually presenting as an incidental finding on abdominal computed tomography.

CASE PRESENTATION

We present the case of a 66-year-old north African male with a known history of previous pancreatitis who presented with upper gastrointestinal bleeding along with recurrent epigastric pain for 3 days. Investigations did not reveal any particular pancreatitis etiology. Computed tomography of the abdomen with contrast showed splenic artery pseudoaneurysm along with findings suggestive of acute pancreatitis. Upper and lower endoscopies failed to identify gastrointestinal the bleed source. The patient underwent intervention radiology embolization of the aneurysm sac with multiple coils via right retrograde common femoral artery-celiac access. The patient was discharged with a plan for capsule endoscopy in outpatient setting.

CONCLUSION

Splenic artery pseudoaneurysm is a life-threatening complication and carries a high mortality rate if left untreated. Prompt identification through various imaging modalities, followed by urgent intervention, is crucial to avoid adverse outcomes.

Post-traumatic jejunal branch of superior mesenteric artery pseudoaneurysm in paediatrics: a compelling case report highlighting early diagnosis and successful endovascular embolization

Introduction and importance

This manuscript underscores the critical significance of prompt diagnosis and intervention in cases of post-traumatic gastroduodenal artery pseudoaneurysms. Such occurrences, particularly in the paediatric population, are rare but potentially life-threatening complications following abdominal trauma, necessitating heightened clinical awareness. Despite their rarity, the devastating consequences of delayed recognition and management emphasize the necessity for advanced imaging modalities and individualized treatment strategies.

Case presentation

A 17-year-old male presented with severe epigastric pain following a football fall. Despite initial stability, persistent symptoms prompted further investigation. Conventional screening methods proved inconclusive, leading to a contrast-enhanced computed tomography (CT) scan that revealed a jejunal branch of superior mesenteric artery (SMA) pseudoaneurysm. The subsequent fluoroscopy-guided angiography and successful embolization using glue exemplify the importance of timely intervention in such cases.

Conclusion

This case highlights the importance of early recognition and appropriate intervention in post-traumatic jejunal branch of SMA pseudoaneurysms. The successful outcome achieved through endovascular embolization underscores the necessity for vigilant monitoring and tailored management strategies in similar clinical scenarios.

A case of small bowel aneurysm hemorrhage with submucosal tumor-like findings

A 51-year-old woman visited our hospital with the chief complaint of tarry stools. Contrast-enhanced abdominal computed tomography revealed leakage of contrast medium into the lumen of the small intestine. Subsequently, a double-balloon endoscopy was performed, which revealed a submucosal mass-like lesion in the jejunum. Although hemostasis was attempted with clips, complete hemostasis was difficult to achieve, and angiographic embolization was performed. Nevertheless, the anemia progressed, and a small bowel resection was performed. Histopathological examination led to a diagnosis of a ruptured submucosal aneurysm of the small intestine. Endoscopic hemostasis is often difficult to achieve for submucosal aneurysms in the intestine. The submucosal tumor-like finding observed on endoscopy in submucosal aneurysms is termed an "SMT-like sign" and is considered an important finding to diagnose aneurysms.

Efficacy and Rationale of Endoscopic Ultrasound-Guided Thrombin Injection in Visceral Artery Pseudoaneurysm Not Amenable to Angioembolization

BACKGROUND

Pseudoaneurysm usually occurs after vascular injuries or erosions such as in trauma or inflammation like pancreatitis and is associated with high morbidity and mortality.

AIM

The aim of study is to assess efficacy and safety of EUS-guided thrombin injection in pseudoaneurysm.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Prospective data collection was done at SMS Hospital, Jaipur, from January 2015 to March 2023. All patients with pseudoaneurysm were consecutively enrolled.

RESULTS

Twenty patients (M/F, 18:2) with median age of 41 years (25-58 years), were studied. Underlying etiology of pseudoaneurysm was chronic pancreatitis in 75% of the patients, blunt trauma abdomen in 15% of the patients, recurrent acute pancreatitis in 5%, and idiopathic in 5% of the patients. At the time of admission, mean hemoglobin was 6.7 g/dL (3.4-8.2), with median blood transfusion requirement was 2 units (0-6 units). Hemoglobin values after 4-6 weeks showed a significant improvement ( t = 9.21, P < 0.05).Mean dose of human thrombin required for complete obliteration of pseudoaneurysm was 520 ± 188.6 IU per patient (300-800 IU). Amount of thrombin (IU) dose needed to achieve complete obliteration correlated well significantly with the dimension of pseudoaneurysm, P value less than 0.05 ( R = 0.80). Median follow-up duration in this study was 44 months (3-84 months), which was the longest follow-up period by far.

CONCLUSIONS

Endoscopic ultrasound-guided thrombin injection in visceral artery pseudoaneurysm is a safe and effective alternative for patients not amenable for digital subtraction angiography-guided angioembolization.

Gastroduodenal artery aneurysm - an extremely rare but insidious cause of abdominal pain: a case report

An arterial aneurysm is a localized weakening of the artery wall that results in pathological dilatation. All intra-abdominal artery aneurysms are labeled as visceral artery aneurysms (VAA), apart from the aorto-iliac artery aneurysms. VAA´s are rare, gastroduodenal artery aneurysms (GDAA), constituting 1.5% of visceral artery aneurysms. A woman in her early 80s´ presented with chronic epigastric pain, weight loss, and nausea. Conservative management was unsuccessful. Imaging revealed a GDAA, prompting endovascular coil embolization. Subsequent evaluation confirmed Polyarteritis Nodosa (PAN), treated with rituximab. The report underscores the diagnostic challenges, emphasizing the need for a multidisciplinary approach using imaging and angiography. GDAA's potential life-threatening rupture necessitates prompt intervention, as illustrated in this case. The rare association with PAN, although infrequent, underscores the importance of considering underlying etiologies in multiple visceral aneurysms. Early diagnosis and intervention are pivotal for this uncommon yet potentially lethal condition.

CIRSE Standards of Practice for the Endovascular Treatment of Visceral and Renal Artery Aneurysms and Pseudoaneurysms

BACKGROUND

Endovascular treatment of visceral and renal artery aneurysms and pseudoaneurysms is an effective, minimally invasive treatment that has been successfully used since the early 1990s, with refined and expanded techniques and tools currently offering excellent outcomes. Due to increased detection of such lesions in recent years, many of which are asymptomatic, revision of the indications for intervention and the correct endovascular treatment approaches has become essential.

PURPOSE

This document will presume that the indication for treatment is clear and approved by the multidisciplinary team and will define the standards required for the performance of each intervention, as well as their relative advantages and limitations. CIRSE Standards of Practice documents are not intended to impose a standard of clinical patient care, but recommend a reasonable approach to, and best practices for, the performance of the endovascular treatment of visceral and renal artery aneurysms and pseudoaneurysms.

METHODS

The writing group was established by the CIRSE Standards of Practice Committee and consisted of five clinicians with internationally recognised expertise in endovascular treatments. The writing group reviewed the existing literature on visceral and renal artery aneurysms and pseudoaneurysms, performing an evidence search using PubMed to identify publications in English and relating to human subjects from 1990 to 2022. The final recommendations were formulated through consensus.

RESULTS

Endovascular treatment has an established role in the successful management of visceral and renal artery aneurysms and pseudoaneurysms, and this Standards of Practice document provides up-to-date recommendations for its safe performance.

Management of Coeliac and Hepatic Artery Aneurysms: An Experience of 84 Cases

OBJECTIVE

To report outcomes following open or endovascular treatment of true hepatic and coeliac artery aneurysms at a single referral centre.

METHODS

This was a retrospective cohort study of consecutive patients treated for true hepatic and coeliac artery aneurysms between May 2002 and December 2021. Outcome measures included complications, graft patency, and survival rate.

RESULTS

Overall, 84 patients were included with a median age of 63 years (interquartile range 55, 79). The majority (76%) of the patients were men. Frequent comorbidities included a history of tobacco (69%), hypertension (65%), hyperlipidaemia (32%), and diabetes (15%). Multiple synchronous aneurysms were detected in 22 patients (26%). There were 33 (39%) symptomatic aneurysms (abdominal pain without rupture [n = 18], rupture [n = 10], and sepsis [n = 5]). Seventeen patients (20%) had mycotic aetiology. Fifty patients (60%) underwent endovascular treatment with either covered stent placement (n = 29) or coil embolisation (n = 21), and 34 patients (40%) were treated with open surgery using allogenic iliac artery (n = 15), autologous saphenous vein (n = 15), GoreTex graft (n = 2), or ligation (n = 2). The complication rate was 32% in the open group and 18% in the endovascular group (p = .048). The overall 90 day post-operative mortality rate was 1.2%, five year primary patency was 90.0%, five year survival rate was 81.2%, and mean follow up was 6.9 ± 4.2 years.

CONCLUSION

Endovascular treatment is the preferred approach whenever technically possible. Despite higher post-operative morbidity, an open approach with vascular reconstruction using autologous or allogenic vascular grafts yields acceptable long term results.

Endovascular and Open Surgical Treatment of Ruptured Splenic Artery Aneurysms: A Case Report and a Systematic Literature Review

BACKGROUND

Ruptured splenic artery aneurysms (r-SAA), although rare, are burdened by high morbidity and mortality, even despite emergent surgical repair. It is suggested that endovascular treatment can achieve reduction in peri-operative death and complication rates, as in other vascular diseases, but evidence of such benefits is still lacking in this particular setting. We report a case of an r-SAA treated by trans-arterial embolization and then converted to open surgery for persistent bleeding, and we provide a systematic review of current results of open and endovascular repair of r-SAAs.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

A 50-year-old male presenting in shock for a giant r-SAA underwent emergent coil embolization and recovered hemodynamic stability. On the following day, he underwent laparotomy for evacuation of the huge intraperitoneal hematoma, but residual bleeding was noted from the splenic artery, which was ligated after coil removal, and a splenectomy was performed. A systematic literature review of the reported mortality and complications of r-SAA undergoing open (OSR) or endovascular (EVT) treatment was performed using the main search databases. All primary examples of research published since 1990 were included regardless of sample size. The main outcome measures were mortality and reinterventions. Secondary outcomes were post-operative complications.

RESULTS

We selected 129 studies reporting on 350 patients-185 treated with OSR and 165 with EVT. Hemodynamically unstable patients and ruptures during pregnancy were more frequently treated with open repair. Overall, there were 37 deaths (mortality: 10.6%)-24 in the OSR group and 13 in the EVTr group (mortality: 12.9% and 7.8% respectively, p-value: 0.84). There were 37 reinterventions after failed or complicated endovascular repair -6 treated with endovascular re-embolization and 31 with laparotomy and splenectomy (22.4%); there were 3 (1.6%) reinterventions after open repair. Overall complication rates were 7.3% in the EVT group (n: 12) and 4.2% in the OSR group (n: 7), and did not require reintervention. No significant differences in overall complications or in any specific complication rate were observed between the two groups.

CONCLUSIONS

Current results of r-SAA treatment show equipoise terms of morbidity and mortality between open and endovascular repair; however, in case of hemodynamic instability and rupture during pregnancy, open surgery might still be safer. Moreover, endovascular repair is still burdened by a significantly higher rate of reinterventions, mostly with conversions to open surgery.

Intraperitoneal Haemorrhage Secondary to Rupture of Right Colic Artery Pseudoaneurysm: A Case Report and Literature Review

This article presents the case of a 58-year-old woman who presented feeling unwell with pain in the right upper abdomen for three days. She had a history of splenic infarcts, was on lifelong warfarin and had recently returned from a trip to Gambia. She was admitted to the hospital under suspicion of sepsis of unknown origin, and a CT scan later revealed haemoperitoneum along with a pseudoaneurysm of the right colic artery. After initially responding to resuscitation, the patient deteriorated haemodynamically, and a decision was made to perform a laparotomy, revealing a ruptured right colic artery pseudoaneurysm. In this article, the authors highlight the challenges of managing a complex unwell patient with a ruptured right colic artery pseudoaneurysm, emphasising the importance of a multi-disciplinary team approach and shared decision-making and reviewing the available literature.

Spontaneous rupture of a gastroduodenal artery side branch immediately following endovascular treatment of gastroepiploic artery aneurysm or pseudoaneurysm

Key clinical massage

Pseudoaneurysms and aneurysms of the visceral arteries are rare entities. To the best of our knowledge, rupture of a proximal parental artery during endovascular treatment of a visceral aneurism/pseudoaneurysm has not been reported and should be kept in mind as a tragic possibility immediately following an apparently successful management of them.

Abstract

A 55-year-old woman with a history of coronary artery disease was referred to our hospital with abdominal pain as her primary complaint. Early works revealed anemia, a small amount of free peritoneal fluid, and a possible large aneurysm or pseudoaneurysm by the greater curvature of the stomach. She underwent emergency angiography that showed a large aneurism/pseudoaneurysm of the gastroepiploic artery. Successful embolization of the lesion was performed using the isolation technique. Perforation of a side branch of the gastroduodenal artery was observed on the immediate postembolization control angiography. Therefore, parent artery coiling was done immediately with good results. She was symptom-free and stable hemodynamically after the procedure, during the hospital course, and in the follow-ups.

Rare causes of acute non-variceal upper gastrointestinal bleeding: A comprehensive review

Non-variceal upper gastrointestinal bleeding (NVUGIB) is a common gastroenterological emergency associated with significant morbidity and mortality. Gastroenterologists and other involved clinicians are generally assisted by international guidelines in its management. However, NVUGIB due to peptic ulcer disease only is mainly addressed by current guidelines, with upper gastrointestinal endoscopy being recommended as the gold standard modality for both diagnosis and treatment. Conversely, the management of rare and extraordinary rare causes of NVUGIB is not covered by current guidelines. Given they are frequently life-threatening conditions, all the involved clinicians, that is emergency physicians, diagnostic and interventional radiologists, surgeons, in addition obviously to gastroenterologists, should be aware of and familiar with their management. Indeed, they typically require a prompt diagnosis and treatment, engaging a dedicated, patient-tailored, multidisciplinary team approach. The aim of our review was to extensively summarize the current evidence with regard to the management of rare and extraordinary rare causes of NVUGIB.

Case report: Duodenal obstruction caused by gastroduodenal artery pseudoaneurysm with hematoma: an unusual case and literature review

Visceral artery pseudoaneurysm is a rare disease that most commonly occurs in male patients in their 50s, with gastroduodenal artery (GDA) pseudoaneurysm accounting for only 1.5% of these. The treatment options generally include open surgery and endovascular treatment. In 40 cases of GDA pseudoaneurysm from 2001 to 2022, endovascular therapy was the mainstay of treatment in 30 cases, and most of them (77%) were treated by coil embolization. Our case report describes a 76-year-old female patient with a GDA pseudoaneurysm, which was treated by endovascular embolization using liquid embolic agent N-butyl-2-cyanoacrylate (NBCA) alone. This is the first time this treatment strategy has been used for GDA pseudoaneurysm. We demonstrate a successful outcome with this unique treatment. The successful experience of our case may provide a new treatment strategy for this rare disease.

Common and uncommon vascular injuries and endovascular treatment associated with pelvic blunt trauma: a real-world experience

Pelvic fractures are common in cases of blunt trauma, which is strongly associated with mortality. Transcatheter arterial embolization is a fundamental treatment strategy for fatal arterial injuries caused by blunt pelvic trauma. However, vascular injuries due to blunt pelvic trauma can show various imaging findings other than arterial hemorrhage. We present a pictorial review of common and uncommon vascular injuries, including active arterial bleeding, pseudoaneurysm, arteriovenous fistula, arterial occlusion, vasospasm, and active venous bleeding. Knowledge of these vascular injuries can help clinicians select the appropriate therapeutic strategy and thus save lives.

Spontaneous rupture of splenic artery pseudoaneurysm

False aneurysm or visceral artery pseudoaneurysm (VAPA) results from a tear in the vessel wall due to trauma with subsequent periarterial haematoma formation. VAPA is relatively rare, with a reported incidence of 0.1-0.2%, although the actual incidence is not known since many are asymptomatic. Splenic artery pseudoaneurysm is even more rare pathology. Only around 200 cases have been described in the literature. The case report below describes a spontaneous rupture of splenic artery pseudoaneurysm.

A case of a pregnant woman with a special splenic artery aneurysm

Visceral artery aneurysm, especially splenic artery aneurysm, is rare and is usually associated with pregnancy. When such aneurysms rupture, they can be fatal, and they often require emergency surgery. This case report includes a review of the literature and describes a effective multidisciplinary approach to managing this type of aneurysm. We describe the treatment of a ruptured splenic artery aneurysm and the careful coordination of obstetric, vascular surgery, and intensive care teams. The uniqueness of this case arose from the metal embolization coil that was found to have fallen off from a recently embolized ruptured splenic artery aneurysm. The management of this ruptured splenic artery aneurysm and iatrogenic foreign body insult required a combination of multiple specialties to provide life-saving treatment. Such cases should be managed by multidisciplinary teams if institutional resources allow for it.

Rupture of pseudoaneurysm of a digiunal artery in the pancreatic duct

Visceral arterial pseudoaneurysms are uncommon vascular abnormalities affecting renal or splanchnic arteries. They can be complications of chronic pancreatitis, blunt or penetrating abdominal trauma, or surgical, endoscopic and interventional radiological procedures. Visceral arterial pseudoaneurysms can be life-threatening because of hemorrhagic shock secondary to rupture and massive bleeding. We report an unusual case of rupture of a pseudoaneurysm of a digiunal artery in the pancreatic duct.

Role of endoscopic ultrasound in vascular interventions: Where are we now?

From a mere diagnostic tool to an imperative treatment modality, endoscopic ultrasound (EUS) has evolved and revolutionized safer efficient options for vascular interventions. Currently it is an alternative treatment option in the management of gastrointestinal bleeding, primarily variceal type bleeding. Conventional treatment option prior to EUS incorporation had limited efficiency and high adverse events. The characterization and detail provided by EUS gives a cutting edge towards a holistically successful management choice. Data indicates that EUS-guided combination therapy of coil embolization and glue injection has the higher efficacy for the treatment of varices. Conversely, similar treatment options that exist for esophageal and other ectopic variceal bleeding was also outlined. In conclusion, many studies refer that a combination therapy of coil and glue injection under EUS guidance provides higher technical success with fewer recurrence and adverse events, making its adaptation in the guideline extremely favorable. Endo-hepatology is a novel disciple with a promising future outlook, we reviewed topics regarding portal vein access, pressure gradient measurement, and thrombus biopsy that are crucial interventions as alternative of radiological procedures. The purpose of this review is to provide an update on the latest available evidence in the literature regarding the role of EUS in vascular interventions. We reviewed the role of EUS in variceal bleeding in recent studies, especially gastric varices and novel approaches aimed at the portal vein.

Open Repair of Large Hepatic Artery Pseudoaneurysm Without Collateral Circulation: A Case Report

Hepatic artery pseudoaneurysm is a rare arterial disease. This case report describes a patient with hepatic artery pseudoaneurysm who presented with recurrent epigastric pain over a 4-month period. Computed tomography angiography (CTA) showed aneurysmal enlargement of the hepatic artery measuring 55 mm × 46 mm. The angiographic information is as follows: (1) the common hepatic artery originated from the superior mesenteric artery; (2) the proper hepatic artery originated from the common hepatic artery; (3) the proper hepatic aneurysmal disease had no collateral circulation. After careful consideration, the patient underwent an open surgical repair (OSR). The patient recovered well without any associated complications. The 1-year follow-up of patients did not reveal any relevant complications. The treatment choice, puzzles, and reflections of this case are all discussed in this article.

Spontaneous rupturing of splenic artery aneurysm: Another reason for fatal syncope and shock (Case report and literature review)

Splenic artery aneurysm (SAA) is a rare condition; however, it is one of the most common intra-abdominal aneurysm. In the emergency department (ED), due to an uncommon cause of shock and syncope in SAA, it poses great diagnostic challenge for emergency physicians. Here we reported a case of spontaneous rupturing of SAA. A 47-year-old man presented to the ED for syncope and shock. As he had unstable hemodynamic, we gave him fluid resuscitation and point-of-care ultrasound (POCUS), free intraperitoneal fluid was identified on ultrasound, then hemorrhagic ascites was identified by a diagnostic abdominal paracentesis. The rare but life-threatening diagnosis of spontaneous rupturing of SAA was confirmed by contrast-enhanced Computed Tomography and surgery. Spontaneous SAA rupturing is a rare fatal condition which needs immediate diagnosis and management to achieve a favorable outcome. Though there are no risk factors, emergency physicians should consider SAA in the differential diagnosis of sudden collapse. Also, as an emergency physician, it is very important to be a master of first aid skills such as POCUS and treat patients according to the process.

Combined endovascular and surgical treatment of a giant celiac artery aneurysm with consequent gastric outlet obstruction: a case report and literature review

BACKGROUND

Visceral artery aneurysms (VAA) are rare with an incidence of up to 0.2% and mortality of up to 40%. Aneurysms larger than 5 cm are referred to as giant visceral artery aneurysms (GVAA). We present a case of a celiac artery aneurysm of 14 cm which required endovascular and surgical management. A review of the literature with focus on treatment is also provided.

CASE PRESENTATION

In this case report, a 76-year-old male presented with postprandial nausea and vomitus. An ultrasound and computed tomography scan showed an aneurysm of the celiac artery of approximately 14 cm. Initial treatment was conducted with coiling. Despite this treatment, patient presented again with the same complaints, most likely due to gastric outlet syndrome caused by the aneurysm sac. Partial open removal of the aneurysm sac was performed with release of the duodenum. Due to recurring dysphagia and postprandial nausea, a gastroenterostomy was created, which was later supplemented with a Roux-en-Y anastomosis due to gastroparesis. Patient recovered uneventful after the Roux-en-Y and was discharged from the hospital.

CONCLUSION

Giant visceral artery aneurysms sometimes need multimodal treatment. We showed that an endovascular first approach of a giant visceral artery aneurysm is not only technically feasible, but it also facilitates subsequent open surgery due to limiting blood loss and reducing the need for extensive mobilisation of the viscera to gain arterial control.

Outpatient Management of Gastroduodenal Artery Aneurysm

Gastroduodenal artery (GDA) aneurysms are exceptionally rare. Although rare, providers should have a sufficient understanding of the causes, symptoms, and treatment options due to there being a high risk of mortality if these aneurysms rupture. It is important to understand the need for close management and follow-up in patients with this diagnosis, especially in the outpatient setting. Various treatment options are available and should be immediately discussed with every patient diagnosed with this aneurysm. We report a patient with a previously diagnosed gastroduodenal aneurysm who presented to the clinic with new-onset symptoms.

Endovascular Oriented Classification and Treatment of Celiac Trunk Aneurysms: 10 Years Experience

OBJECTIVE

To propose an endovascular-oriented classification of celiac trunk aneurysms (CTa) and discuss single center results of this rare pathology.

METHODS

Data of all patients admitted to our institution for CTa from 2011 to 2021 were prospectively collected. Of them, those who underwent endovascular treatment were retrospectively analyzed. All preoperative CT scans were reviewed and CTa were classified in 4 different configurations based on progressive distal landing zone. We excluded from the classification all cases with median arcuate ligament syndrome (MALS), patients with coexistent aortic dilation or no endovascular proximal neck. Preoperative demographics, intraoperative data and post-operative complications were recorded. All-cause late mortality and complications were identified through a review of office charts and telephone assessment.

RESULTS

During the study period 19 patients were referred to our Institution for CTa. Ten patients underwent endovascular treatment (ET). In 6 cases a watchful waiting strategy was adopted, 2 (10.5 %) patients refused ET and one patient without suitable proximal landing zone (< 10 mm) was not proposed to open surgical repair for surgical contraindication but is followed by strict instrumental and clinical evaluation. Six (60%) patients presented type 2 CTa; all of them underwent ET requiring positioning of covered stent-graft and SA embolization. Three (30%) patients presented type 3 CTa; all of them underwent ET with covered stent-graft deployment over the GDA with preliminary embolization. One (10%) patient presented type 4 CTa that was treated by means of covered stent-graft deployment along the right hepatic artery with left hepatic artery embolization. Overall, no major complications and perioperative mortality was observed.

CONCLUSION

Celiac trunk aneurysms are rare, and no classifications have still been presented. Stent-graft exclusion provides excellent short-term outcome with no significant morbidity and mortality rate when technically feasible.

Symptomatic pseudoaneurysms following laparoscopic cholecystectomy: Focus on an unusual and dangerous complication

BACKGROUND

Laparoscopic cholecystectomy (LC) has been associated with an increase in the incidence of biliary and vascular injuries. Pseudoaneurysms (PAs) following LC are rare life-threatening events with limited available experience regarding diagnosis and treatment.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

An extensive review of literature during a 26-year period (1994-2020) using MEDLINE® database and Google Scholar® academic search engine revealed 134 patients with at least one symptomatic PA following LC.

RESULTS

Nearly.

81% of patients with PAs become symptomatic during the first 8 weeks following LC. The most common symptoms were gastrointestinal bleeding (74%) and abdominal pain (61%). In 28% of cases, there was a concomitant bile duct injury or leak from the cystic duct stump, whereas in about one-third of cases, PAs presented following an uneventful LC. The most common involved arteries were the right hepatic artery (70%), the cystic artery (19%) or both of them (3%). Trans-arterial embolisation was the favoured first-line treatment with a success rate of 83%. During a median follow-up of 9 months, the mortality rate was 7%.

CONCLUSION

Clinicians should be aware of the PA occurrence following LC. Prompt diagnosis and treatment are essential.

A 10-year retrospective review of management and outcomes of pseudoaneurysms at a tertiary referral centre

INTRODUCTION

Pseudoaneurysms are uncommon but potentially life-threatening. Treatment may involve a variety of interventions including observation, manual compression, ultrasound-guided thrombin injection and a variety of endovascular and surgical techniques. Current treatments are largely based on observational data and there is no consensus on management. This study aimed to provide evidence for guiding clinical decisions regarding visceral artery pseudoaneurysm and peripheral artery pseudoaneurysm management.

METHODS

Retrospective single-centre review of patients diagnosed with visceral and peripheral artery pseudoaneurysms at a tertiary hospital (2010-2020).

RESULTS

There were 285 patients included in this study. A total of 86 patients were diagnosed with a visceral artery pseudoaneurysm, and 49 of these (57%) were caused by trauma. A total of 199 patients were identified with a peripheral pseudoaneurysm; 76 of these (38%) were caused by trauma and 69 (35%) were due to access site complication during an endovascular procedure. Initial technical success was achieved in 266 patients (93.3%) with 19 requiring an additional treatment to achieve success. Conservative treatment (100% success), endovascular treatment (98.1%) and surgery (100%) were more successful than ultrasound-guided compression (63.6%) and thrombin injection (83.8%). The median time from diagnosis to intervention was <9 h for visceral artery pseudoaneurysms and 24 h for peripheral artery pseudoaneurysms. There was no change in survival outcomes with respect to time from diagnosis and intervention.

CONCLUSION

In this study, pseudoaneurysms were treated with a high degree of success by observation or by using an endovascular approach, and those requiring endovascular intervention did not need to be treated immediately in an emergent setting.

Endovascular treatment of an asymptomatic hepatic artery aneurism: case report

We report a case of an asymptomatic, 77-year-old, male patient with arterial hypertension and no other comorbidities or risk factors for coronary disease. During a routine abdominal ultrasound examination, he was diagnosed with a hepatic vascular mass with an approximate diameter of 5 cm. Abdominal computed angiotomography was requested, showing an aneurysm of the hepatic artery, with maximum diameter of up to 5.2 cm, longest longitudinal axis of 7.2 cm, and a maximum true lumen caliber of 3.0 cm. We opted for endovascular aneurysm repair with implantation of three sequential Lifestream covered vascular stents (7x58mm, 8x58mm, and 8x37mm), successfully diverting the flow through the stents and excluding the aneurysm. The patient remains asymptomatic and free from clinical complications 2 years after the procedure. Control examinations with arterial duplex ultrasound 6 and 12 months after the procedure showed good flow through the stents with no leakage into the aneurysmal sac.

The Minimally Invasive Treatment of Visceral Artery Pseudoaneurysms: A Retrospective Observational Single Centre Cohort Study on Glue Embolization

OBJECTIVE

The objective is to report a single centre experience in the embolization of visceral artery pseudoaneurysms with N-butyl-cyanoacrylate-methacryloxy sulfolane (NBCA-MS).

METHODS

A retrospective observational cohort study was conducted on data about all consecutive patients treated for visceral artery pseudoaneurysms in the Interventional Radiology Unit of SS Annunziata Hospital, in Taranto (Italy) between January 2016 and July 2020. Only patients treated with NBCA-MS embolization were included. Clinical and technical outcomes were evaluated during in-hospital stay and at 3-month follow-up by computed angiotomography (CTA).

RESULTS

Among 89 patients undergoing treatment for visceral artery pseudoaneurysm, a total of 58 (65.2%) patients (n = 32, 55.2% men; median age 45.8 years, range: 35-81) treated with NBCA-MS only were enrolled. Pseudoaneurysms were located in the renal artery (n = 18 cases, 31%), in the splenic artery (n = 27, 46.6%), in the intra-parenchymal hepatic artery (n = 3, 5.2%), in the common hepatic artery (n = 4, 6.9%) or in the pancreatic artery (n = 6, 10.3%). N-butyl-cyanoacrylate was diluted 1:1 with Lipiodol ultra-fluid, and mean volume injected was 0.6 ± 0.3 mL (range: 0.2-2.8 mL). Embolization was technically and clinically successful in all patients (n = 58, 100%) with an immediate total thrombosis of the pseudoaneurysm at the completion angiography. No systemic complications were noted in all cases. Five cases (8.6%) of non-target vessel embolization occurred without any clinical complication. No pseudoaneurysm recurrence was detected at the CTA control 1 day postoperatively. In one case (1.7%), a recurrence was detected 4 days after the initial treatment and successfully managed by a repeated NBCA-MS embolization. During the hospital stay, 56 patients recovered well but 2 (3.4%) died from multi-organ failure not related to the embolization. No recurrences were detected at the 3-month postoperative CTA in the remaining patients.

CONCLUSIONS

In properly selected patients affected with visceral artery pseudoaneurysms, NBCA-MS represents a definitive and safe embolization agent.

Management of Visceral Artery Pseudoaneurysms by Combined Technique of Percutaneous Thrombin Injection and Endovascular Coiling

Purpose To describe our initial experience with percutaneous thrombin injection combined with endovascular coiling of high-flow visceral artery pseudoaneurysms.

Materials and Methods Institutional review board approval was obtained. Between January 2019 and February 2020, 21 patients with nonvariceal upper gastrointestinal (GI) bleed underwent multidetector CT angiography. Four patients with acute pancreatitis and large pseudoaneurysms were selected for the combined technique. Human thrombin reconstituted with calcium chloride was injected percutaneously. Partially thrombosed aneurysms were treated up to three times. Simultaneously or within 15 days, coil embolization of the neck or patent part of pseudoaneurysm was performed. Patients were followed up to 1 month postprocedure.

Results The size of the pseudoaneurysms ranged from 3 cm to 6 cm. All were accessed percutaneously by 22G Chiba needle under ultrasound guidance and 500 to 1500 units of thrombin was injected in one to three attempts. Subsequently, endovascular coiling of the neck of the pseudoaneurysm or of the feeding artery was performed. Technical success with cessation of flow was achieved in all four patients. One patient developed obstructive jaundice postprocedure and another continued to have GI bleeding despite thrombin injection.

Conclusion Percutaneous thrombin injection is an easy to use and effective tool for treating visceral artery pseudoaneurysms and can be combined with endovascular coiling for successful occlusion of large pseudoaneurysms.

Management and outcome of true visceral and renal artery aneurysm repair

Purpose

Visceral and renal artery aneurysms (VAA, RAA) are very rare pathologies. Both surgical and endovascular therapies are discussed as therapeutic options for ruptured and non-ruptured aneurysm repair; we describe our experience in the open and endovascular management of these entities.

Methods

Retrospective database analysis of 60 treated VAA and RAA in 59 patients between 1994 and 2020. Outcome data was descriptively analyzed.

Results

Thirty-seven aneurysms were surgically treated and 23 interventionally. In the total study cohort, we observed a mortality of 1.7% and a morbidity of 18.6%. One major complication occurred. The morbidity was higher after surgical repair in ruptured and non-ruptured cases. The mean aneurysm diameter was 30.5 ± 15.6 mm. Patients with hepatic or pancreaticoduodenal artery aneurysms presented more often in the stage of rupture, without differences in aneurysm size. The length of hospital stay after endovascular repair was significantly shorter compared to open surgical treatment (7.2 ± 6.9 days versus 11.8 ± 6.7 days, p = 0.014), but only in elective cases. Primary technical success was significantly better in patients that underwent surgical repair in an intention to treat analysis (100% versus 79.3%). The mean follow-up of the cohort was 53.5 months (range 3–207 months).

Conclusion

Elective endovascular therapy and open surgery of VAA and RAA are safe procedures with a good periprocedural and long-term outcome. Surgical revascularization showed a better primary technical success but was associated with longer length of hospital stays.

Interdisciplinary Management of Visceral Artery Aneurysms and Visceral Artery Pseudoaneurysms

The paper presents the results of treating 14 patients, namely eight patients with visceral artery aneurysms and six patients with visceral artery pseudoaneurysms. In 64.3% of the patients, the initial diagnosis was made based on the ultrasound examination. All the patients (100%) underwent CT angiography, while angiography was performed in 71.4% of the cases. Five (35.7%) patients with visceral artery pseudoaneurysms were emergently hospitalized; among them, the signs of bleeding were observed in 2 patients. In 9 patients, pathology was detected during tests for other conditions. Five (35.7%) patients underwent endovascular treatment, while 9 (64.3%) patients received surgical treatment. Endovascular interventions and open surgery demonstrated a nil mortality rate. After endovascular treatment, stent thrombosis was found in 1 patient. In the case of surgical treatment, visceral artery aneurysm was observed in 1 patient who underwent the resection of superior mesenteric artery pseudoaneurysm. Conclusions. The choice of the method of treating visceral artery aneurysms and visceral artery pseudoaneurysms depends on the location, size, anatomic features of the visceral arteries and the clinical course of the disease. Both endovascular and surgical treatment demonstrate good postoperative outcomes. Visceral ischemia is one of the most serious complications in the postoperative period, which can complicate both the diagnosis and the choice of treatment tactics.

Open Surgical Repair for a Giant Common Hepatic Artery Aneurysm with Difficulty in Proximal Arterial Clamping: A Case Report

Hepatic artery aneurysm has been considered as a rare, life-threatening disease. In this study, we report on a patient requiring surgical treatment for a giant hepatic artery aneurysm by aneurysmectomy without revascularization. A 70-year-old woman who complained of epigastric pain was referred to our hospital. Enhanced computed tomography scan has revealed a giant (11×9 cm) common hepatic artery aneurysm. She then underwent emergency surgery; the intra-aortic balloon occlusion technique was applied in order to control the blood inflow into the aneurysm. The aneurysm was then incised, and direct closure of the inflow and outflow orifices was performed safely without evidence of ischemic change in the liver.

An Unusual Cause of an Intraperitoneal Bleed: Bleeding Hepatic Artery Pseudoaneurysm Due to an Eroding Cholecystitis

An 80-year-old male patient presented with sepsis secondary to infected central line which was placed for native aortic valve endocarditis. He also had melena and abdominal pain prior to his presentation. Abdominal computed tomography (CT) was done, which showed cholelithiasis. Esophagogastroduodenoscopy was also done with no source of bleeding identified. Later, he developed hemodynamic instability requiring aggressive fluid resuscitation and multiple packed blood cell transfusions. In view of his hemodynamic instability, a repeat abdominal CT scan showed air droplets within the gallbladder pneumobilia, ascites, diverticulosis, and a bleeding infrahepatic hematoma measuring 6 × 10 cm, which was not on his prior scan 2 days prior. A mesenteric arteriogram was performed that identified an aneurysm of the right hepatic artery with no active bleeding; therefore, it was coiled. Due to his continued clinical decompensation, he underwent an urgent open cholecystectomy, in which serosanguineous fluid, cholecystocolic fistula, and old clot related to his previous bleed were encountered. However, control of bleeding was difficult, and the patient expired. We report this case of right hepatic artery aneurysm that we believe its etiology was related to eroding cholecystitis.

Clinical efficacy of coil embolization in treating pseudoaneurysm post-Whipple operation

The present study aimed to evaluate the clinical efficacy and safety of angiography and coil embolization for pseudoaneurysm post-pancreatoduodenectomy (PD). A total of 17 patients with gastrointestinal or abdominal hemorrhage after PD were included in the present study. Angiography was performed on the celiac artery, common hepatic artery, splenic artery, gastroduodenal artery and superior mesenteric artery to determine the size of the pseudoaneurysm, the parent artery and its collateral branches. A variety of embolization techniques have been applied to embolize pseudoaneurysm, including the sac packing technique, proximal embolization, exclusion technique and sandwich technique. Different techniques with coils were used for embolization and the clinical effects of embolization were analyzed. A total of 18 pseudoaneurysms were identified in 17 patients. In 2 patients, severe technical complications occurred, including migration of the coil and rupture of pseudoaneurysm, and one of them died, which may have been associated with this complication. No serious clinical complications were observed in the other patients. A total of 7 patients had mild clinical complications, including mild abdominal and dorsal pain, which were alleviated after symptomatic management. A total of 15 patients with definite pseudoaneurysm were successfully embolized without re-bleeding and complications. The clinical success rate was 94.1% (16/17). In conclusion, a variety of embolization techniques may be applied for the treatment of pseudoaneurysm after PD, which have high technical and clinical success rates and small trauma. It is recommended in emergency situations, but care should be taken to avoid serious technical complications.

Gastroduodenal Artery Pseudoaneurysm Causing Obstructive Jaundice

Background: Visceral artery aneurysms and pseudoaneurysms are uncommon phenomena with a high mortality rate in cases of rupture. These rare vascular pathologies are usually asymptomatic and are therefore generally discovered incidentally on computed tomography or magnetic resonance imaging examination. Current therapeutic options have trended toward a minimally invasive approach because of evolving endovascular treatment options, with open operations typically reserved for cases of intraabdominal hemorrhage.

Case Report: We describe a case of gastroduodenal artery pseudoaneurysm manifesting as obstructive jaundice and pancreatitis because of extrahepatic compression of the common bile duct and pancreatic duct by mass effect. Open repair was ultimately required secondary to arterial anatomy that was not amenable to any endovascular treatment approach.

Conclusion: While endovascular options are the preferred treatment modality for visceral artery aneurysms and pseudo-aneurysms, some cases require definitive open repair for a variety of reasons, including unsuitable anatomy.

Life-Threatening Rupture of an Idiopathic Left Hepatic Artery Pseudoaneurysm Successfully Treated with Endovascular Coil Embolization

Hepatic artery pseudoaneurysm is a rare condition; they are multifactorial, most of them locating in the extrahepatic vasculature and the mortality associated to its rupture may reach up to 70%. We report a 77 years old female who was admitted due to headache and uncontrolled hypertension and that on her second hospital day developed sudden hemodynamic instability, abdominal pain, fatigue, skin-mucosa pallor, and anemia. Abdominal CT scan with contrast showed a left hepatic artery pseudoaneurysm associated with extensive hemoperitoneum. Patient required emergent hemodynamic stabilization and finally was treated successfully with a superselective endovascular coil embolization. Our patient represents an atypical case of a spontaneous rupture of an idiopathic hepatic artery pseudoaneurysm. Hence, the importance of having a high index of clinical suspicion. Endovascular coil embolization has become the first-line treatment.

A Rare Case of Ruptured Bronchial Artery Pseudoaneurysm and Its Nonsurgical Management With Interventional Techniques

Ruptured bronchial artery pseudoaneurysms with mediastinal hematoma are rare entities with a very limited number of published cases to date. The diagnosis of such cases can be difficult as the patient may present with symptoms mimicking other diseases, mainly mediastinal malignancy. A high degree of clinical suspicion and imaging techniques like contrast-enhanced computed tomography (CECT) chest and computed tomography angiography (CTA) aids in the diagnosis. Under the lights of an interventional radiologist, an urgent endovascular approach is most commonly preferred for its nonsurgical management. We present a rare case of a 47-year-old male with no previous lung disease or trauma with dyspnea and sudden onset chest pain. A massive effusion was suspected on the right side. CECT chest and digital subtraction angiography (DSA) revealed a pseudoaneurysm of a bronchial vessel with associated mediastinal hematoma, collapse of basal right lower lobe, and collection in right pleural space. This patient was later successfully treated by endovascular embolization techniques. Bronchial artery pseudoaneurysm may be considered a remote possibility in the absence of trauma or other lung diseases that may present with a massive hemothorax or mediastinal hematoma. Although CECT can be useful, digital angiography is considered the gold standard. Early intervention with the endovascular approach is a commonly recommended technique.

Celiacomesenteric trunk associated with superior mesenteric artery aneurysm: A case report and review of literature

In rare cases, the celiac artery and the superior mesenteric artery arise from a common origin known as a common celiacomesenteric trunk. Celiac trunk stenosis or occlusion has been reported to accompany this anatomical aberrancy. Even rarer, are aneurysms associated with this common celiacomesenteric trunk. In general, visceral artery aneurysms are uncommon. We hereby present a 39-year-old female patient with a 1-month history of mild diffuse abdominal pain, with an incidental finding of superior mesenteric artery aneurysm on abdominal ultrasound. Subsequent contrast-enhanced computed tomography revealed severe narrowing of the celiac trunk and saccular aneurysmal dilatation of the superior mesenteric artery. Coil embolization of the aneurysm was performed, while maintaining persistent flow in the superior mesenteric artery and celiacomesenteric trunk. Visceral artery aneurysms are increasingly being identified incidentally with improvement in imaging techniques. The question lies whether to treat these aneurysms or observe. No universal guidelines exist regarding that matter, but the decision to intervene is made based on aneurysm location, size, and patient characteristics.

Large spontaneous median sacral artery pseudoaneurysm masquerading as hip pain

We report the case of an 81-year-old man who presented with severe right hip pain and reduced physical function secondary to a large spontaneous median sacral artery pseudoaneurysm measuring 83.5 × 55.4 mm. The patient had no history of recent trauma, infective or inflammatory disease, or any recent procedures. The patient was taking apixaban for atrial fibrillation. Percutaneous coil embolization was used to occlude the pseudoaneurysm. This case describes a novel disease, spontaneous median sacral artery pseudoaneurysm, presenting with hip pain.

Endoscopic ultrasound-guided thrombin injection, a management approach for visceral artery pseudoaneurysms

Background and study aims  Pseudoaneurysms are usually associated with high rates of morbidity and mortality. There are limited data in the literature on endoscopic ultrasound (EUS)-guided thrombin injection for pseudoaneurysms. The aim of this study is to assess the efficacy and safety of EUS-guided thrombin injection for pseudoaneurysms. Patients and methods  This prospective study was conducted in our department between January and December 2018. All patients with symptomatic visceral artery pseudoaneurysms, who were unable to undergo angioembolization, were enrolled consecutively. Data related to demography, laboratory parameters, radiological imaging, pseudoaneurysms, and endotherapy were analyzed. Results  Eight patients with median age 34 years (27-58 years), all men, were studied. The vessel involved was the splenic artery in 5 patients (62.5 %), the left hepatic artery in 2 (25 %), and the gastroduodenal artery in 1 patient (12.5%). The median size of the pseudoaneurysms was 2.9 cm × 2.6 cm (range, 1.8 × 1.9-4 × 5 cm). The median thrombin requirement was 400 IU (range, 200-500 IU) for loss of Doppler flow signals. EUS after 3 months showed obliterated pseudoaneurysms in 7 patients (87.5 %), while recurrence was observed in 1 patient (12.5 %) after 6 weeks. Conclusions  EUS-guided thrombin injection may be a new option for the management of pseudoaneurysms.

Lumbar artery aneurysm: A rare manifestation of vasculopathy in a patient with neurofibromatosis type 1

Lumbar artery aneurysms are rare but important to diagnose, since rupture can have serious consequences due to life-threatening hemorrhage. A 49-year-old male with Neurofibromatosis type 1 (NF-1) was admitted to the emergency room with abrupt onset of severe abdominal pain. Ultrasound examination was normal, noncontrast CT revealed a tapered retroperitoneal mass adjacent to the right psoas muscle. A multiphased contrast-enhanced CT scan raised suspicion of an arterial lumbar aneurysm and was confirmed by selective catheter based angiography. The patient underwent successful treatment with endovascular coiling and the patient was discharged within a few days after an uneventful course.

Hybrid management approach for superior mesenteric artery and branch aneurysms

Visceral artery aneurysms are rare, with a 25% rupture risk and an associated 70% mortality. A 55-year-old woman with progressive epigastric pain was found to have multiple large superior mesenteric artery (SMA), branch, and gastroduodenal artery aneurysms along with an occluded celiac artery trunk with hepatic flow dependent on the aneurysm branch. Management included antegrade aortohepatic artery bypass with gastroduodenal artery ligation, followed by SMA stenting and aneurysm coiling. This case is novel, given the diffuse pattern and rarity of SMA and branch aneurysms. This hybrid surgical management highlights innovative strategies to minimize morbidity without compromising definitive treatment of complex visceral artery aneurysms.