Splenic infarction complicating ligation of a gastroduodenal artery aneurysm

Abstract

<h4>Background</h4>Aneurysms of visceral arteries are rare, but may lead to dramatic situations of intraabdominal or retroperitoneal hemorrhage in case of rupture.<h4>Case report</h4>We report the case of a 72-year-old patient who developed a hemorrhagic shock following a total hip replacement due to the rupture of an aneurysm of the gastroduodenal artery. Angiography also demonstrated a high-grade stenosis of the celiac trunk. The ruptured aneurysm was ligated as a live-saving procedure, but due to the stenosis in the celiac trunk the patient developed a splenic infarction followed by partial tissue liquefication. This was treated conservatively and after 3 months, the computed tomography showed an atrophic residual spleen.<h4>Summary</h4>Diagnostic and therapeutic approaches to visceral vascular aneurysms are discussed including the potential complications of splenic infarction.