Intra-abdominal hemorrhage due to rupture of a splenic vein aneurysm: a case report

J Gastrointest Surg. 2003 Jul-Aug;7(5):683-6. doi: 10.1016/s1091-255x(03)00028-3.

Abstract

Splenic vein aneurysm (SVA) is extremely rare. Most patients with an SVA have portal hypertension. In this report we describe the first recorded case of intra-abdominal hemorrhage due to rupture of an SVA in a patient without evidence of portal hypertension. A 72-year-old man was admitted to our medical center in a state of shock, with complaints of acute abdominal pain and abdominal distention. Preoperatively, abdominal ultrasonography demonstrated an echo-free space in the abdomen, suggesting the presence of a fluid collection. In addition, computed tomography revealed an enhanced lesion with contrast material in the pancreatic tail. An emergency operation showed bleeding from the SVA near the pancreatic tail. Consequently, a distal pancreatectomy with splenectomy was performed. Histologically the lesion was diagnosed as an SVA surrounded by pancreatic tissue with chronic inflammatory changes. The patient's postoperative course was uneventful.

Publication types

  • Case Reports
  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Aged
  • Aneurysm, Ruptured / complications*
  • Chronic Disease
  • Gastrointestinal Hemorrhage / etiology*
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Pancreatectomy
  • Pancreatitis / complications
  • Splenectomy
  • Splenic Vein*