Abstract
Objectives: Aneurysms of abdominal visceral arteries are infrequently encountered. They often rupture and progress to serious morbidity or death. We reviewed our experiences of the management of visceral artery aneurysms (VAAs). Methods: A retrospective analysis of all VAAs diagnosed at Kyorin University Hospital between March 2005 and October 2008 was perfomed. Thirty VAAs in 30 patients (21 men and 9 women with an average age of 62.8 years) were entered into the study. Results: The arteries involved included 13 splenic, 5 pancreaticoduodenal, 5 celiac, 4 superior mesenteric, and 3 hepatic arteries. Seventeen patients were asymptomatic, whereas 13 patients were symptomatic. Treatments included detailed observation in 17 patients, transcatheter embolization in 10 patients and open surgery in 3 patients (ligation in 1 emergency case, resection and revascularization in 2 cases). The results of the surgical treatments were all successful and no severe complications or operative death occurred. There were no recurrences during the course of the observation period. Conclusion: Our policy of the treatment of VAAs seems reasonable. Endovascular treatment may be recommended, especially in small branch aneurysms.
