Spontaneous Rupture of a Huge Splenic Artery Aneurysm: A Case Report
Unknown etiology, Challenging differential diagnosis, Diagnostic / therapeutic accidents, Management of emergency care
Nikolaos Pararas, Saravanan Rajendiran, Imad Taha, Rahul Ramachandra Powar, Carlos Holguera, Ezzat Tadros
Department of Surgery, Dr. Sulaiman Al Habib Hospitals, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
Am J Case Rep 2020; 21:e919956
DOI: 10.12659/AJCR.919956
Available online: 2020-01-24
Published: 2020-01-25
BACKGROUND:
Splenic artery aneurysm is uncommon in a healthy young male patient. With spontaneous rupture, it can quickly become life-threatening. Our aim is to highlight the possibility of splenic artery aneurysm among healthy young patients and its presentation as recurrent abdominal pain, while pending rupture is possible, which can present a diagnostic challenge. The rare occurrence and spontaneous rupture of a splenic artery aneurysm are often fatal outside an inpatient setting.
CASE REPORT:
Here, we present the case of a 32-year-old patient who visited the Emergency Department with recurrent epigastric pain. While undergoing inpatient evaluation, had a spontaneous rupture of a splenic artery aneurysm with hypovolemic shock and a double-rupture phenomenon, necessitating emergency surgery.
CONCLUSIONS:
With advances in modern imaging in recent years, the incidence of splenic aneurysm has increased 7-fold; therefore, being informed and considering it in the differential diagnosis might provide a window of opportunity and save lives.
Keywords: Aneurysm, Ruptured, Diagnosis, Differential, Splenectomy, Splenic Artery
