J Korean Soc Vasc Surg.
2010 Nov;26(3):169-175.
Splenic Artery Aneurysms: Ten Years of Experience
- Affiliations
-
- 1Division of Vascular Surgery, Department of Surgery, Samsung Medical Center, Sungkyunkwan University School of Medicine, Seoul, Korea. ywkim@skku.edu
Abstract
- PURPOSE
Splenic artery aneurysms (SAAs) are rare but have the potential risk of life threatening rupture. We conducted this study to define the natural history of SAAs and to compare the results of surgery and endovascular treatment for SAAs.
METHODS
From July 2001 to August 2010, 23 patients were treated for SAAs in a single institution. A retrospective study was performed on these patients.
RESULTS
No cases of rupture or mortality occurred during follow-up. Nine patients were observed without any intervention, and growth of an aneurysm was detected in only two patients with a mean growth rate of 0.02 cm/yr. Ten patients underwent open surgery and four underwent endovascular treatment. The indications for treatment were an aneurysm larger than 2 cm in nine patients, a symptomatic aneurysm in one patient, one enlarging aneurysm, one reproductive-age female, and aneurysm exclusion was performed during abdominal aortic aneurysm repair in one patient. In the treatment group, no case of recurrence of an aneurysm or restoration of blood flow was observed. Postembolization syndrome and a partial splenic infarct occurred in one patient who underwent endovascular exclusion for an aneurysm.
CONCLUSION
Both open surgery and endovascular treatment are safe and effective treatment modalities for SAA with a low risk of complications or mortality. However, conservative management is another treatment option that should be considered for patients with a low risk of rupture.
