[Four patients with aneurysm of the hepatic artery]

Ned Tijdschr Geneeskd. 2006 Jun 24;150(25):1402-6.
[Article in Dutch]

Abstract

Two men aged 73 and 71 years and 2 women aged 76 and 80 years were referred for a false aneurysm (the 3rd patient) or true aneurysm (the other 3 patients) of an extrahepatic portion of the hepatic artery. The first patient was asymptomatic, the third patient had a rupture in the biliary duct and the remaining 2 patients had upper abdominal pain. In the first 2 patients, the aneurysm was removed surgically and replaced with a venous interposition graft. The 3rd patient received a coated stent. In the 4th patient, the artery was occluded, after which hepatic circulation recovered spontaneously. Treatment was successful in all 4 patients. Aneurysm of the hepatic artery is identified increasingly more often due to the current capabilities of diagnostic imaging. Elective treatment is indicated if the diameter is > 2 cm due to the increased risk of rupture, which has been associated with mortality rates of up to 40%. Primarily, endovascular treatment should be considered by means of a coated stent or aneurysm coiling. For patients with compromised intestinal circulation, surgical elimination with venous reconstruction is the treatment of choice.

Publication types

  • Case Reports
  • English Abstract

MeSH terms

  • Aged
  • Aged, 80 and over
  • Aneurysm / diagnosis*
  • Aneurysm / surgery
  • Aneurysm, False / diagnosis
  • Aneurysm, Ruptured / diagnosis
  • Aneurysm, Ruptured / surgery
  • Diagnosis, Differential
  • Female
  • Hepatic Artery / surgery*
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Stents*
  • Treatment Outcome
  • Vascular Surgical Procedures / methods