A Ruptured Pancreaticoduodenal Artery Aneurysm Associated with a Splenic Artery Aneurysm: Report of a Case

True pancreaticoduodenal artery (PDA) aneurysms are extremely rare. We report herein a case of a ruptured PDA aneurysm associated with a nonruptured splenic artery aneurysm which was successfully treated by surgery. A 55-year-old man was admitted to a local hospital complaining of sudden abdominal and back pain, and thereafter he was transferred to our university hospital. Abdominal computed tomography revealed retroperitoneal hematoma and an enhanced round spot suggesting a peripancreatic aneurysm. Emergency angiography showed a 20-mm-sized aneurysm in the inferior PDA and a 10-mm-sized aneurysm in the splenic artery. The patient underwent an emergency laparotomy with a diagnosis of a ruptured PDA aneurysm. After evacuating a large volume clot in the right retroperitoneal space and the peritoneal cavity, we detected an index finger-sized aneurysm with arterial bleeding in the right inferioposterior aspect of the pancreas. Hemostasis was obtained by oversewing the aneurysm and a ligation of the feeding arteries. A prophylactic splenectomy was performed for the nonruptured splenic artery aneurysm. This case indicates that emergency angiography is indispensable for both a definitive diagnosis and adequate surgical treatment of PDA aneurysms. Received: July 19, 2000 / Accepted: January 9, 2001     

腹腔干、肠系膜上动脉共干部动脉瘤的切除和血管重建探讨

目的探讨腹腔干、肠系膜上动脉畸形共干部真性动脉瘤的切除以及血管重建的手术治疗方法。方法回顾性总结1998年2月至2006年4月6例患者临床资料,均在全身麻醉下行动脉瘤切除,肾下主动脉与肝动脉、脾动脉、肠系膜上动脉行转流手术5例,行主动脉肝动脉转流、肠系膜上动脉成形术1例。结果均获得临床治愈,随访观察2月~8年,无一例复发。结论腹腔干、肠系膜上动脉畸形共干部动脉瘤切除,主动脉与内脏动脉转流或重建是一种安全有效的治疗方法。     

Emergency Celiac Revascularization for Supramesocolic Ischemia During Pancreaticoduodenectomy: Report of a Case

Occlusive atherosclerotic disease of the celiac artery may be diagnosed late during pancreatic resection, inducing a sudden ischemic threat to the liver, stomach, pancreas, and new anastomoses. Failure to identify and correct the insufficient supramesocolic flow can result in serious morbidity. We report the case of a 64-year-old man in whom sudden and unexpected visceral ischemia occurred while Whipples procedure was being performed to resect a cephalopancreatic mass. We diagnosed occlusion of the celiac trunk and achieved celiac revascularization by performing an end-to-side transposition of the celiac artery onto the superior mesenteric artery, which had been dissected during the lymphadenectomy. We describe this technique as an alternative treatment for acute supramesocolic ischemia caused by celiac axis occlusion. It is important that surgeons performing pancreatic surgery are aware of the possibility of this complication because the test occlusion of the gastroduodenal artery, which must always precede its ligation, can be negative.     

Intraductal Oncocytic Papillary Neoplasm of the Pancreas with Celiac Artery Compression Syndrome and a Jejunal Artery Aneurysm: Report of a Case

A 79-year-old woman presented with epigastralgia, and computed tomography showed a 3-cm multiloculated mass with a mural nodule in the head of the pancreas. Arteriography showed stenosis of the celiac artery and a saccular aneurysm, arising from the first jejunal artery. We made a preoperative diagnosis of intraductal papillary adenocarcinoma of the pancreatic head and performed a laparotomy. Transection of the median arcuate ligament failed to restore adequate hepatic blood flow, necessitating construction of celiac vascularization, achieved by a gastroduodenal to jejunal artery anastomosis. After ligation of the jejunal artery aneurysm, we performed a pylorus-preserving pancreaticoduodenectomy. Microscopically, the tumor had papillary intracystic growth, and was lined by plump cells with abundant eosinophilic cytoplasm, consistent with a diagnosis of intraductal oncocytic papillary neoplasm. We discuss this recently recognized entity of papillary neoplasm of the pancreas, and the importance of managing hepatic blood flow during pancreaticoduodenectomy in celiac artery compression syndrome.     

Congenital Right Subclavian Artery Aneurysm: a Case Report

Aneurysms of the subclavian artery are unusual. The most common causes are atherosclerosis and trauma. We report one case of an elongated and tortuous right subclavian artery with an aneurysm involving the origin of the right vertebral artery. The patient underwent resection of the lesion with an end-to-end anastomosis of the subclavian artery and implantation of the right vertebral artery into the right common carotid artery. Results were consistent with a rare congenital subclavian aneurysm.     

Deep Femoral Artery Aneurysm: Report of a Case

Aneurysms involving the deep femoral artery, otherwise known as the profunda femoris artery (PFA), are extremely rare. Rarer still are bilateral PFA aneurysms (PFAAs). The diagnosis is difficult, but it may be suggested by the presence of a pulsatile tumor in the region of the femoral artery or by symptoms resulting from complications such as rupture or thromboembolism. A high index of suspicion is essential to diagnose them because they may present atypically. Surgery remains the treatment of choice and should be carried out electively for asymptomatic aneurysms. Surgery in an emergency situation can be challenging, especially when it involves vascular reconstruction as dictated by the peripheral vascular circulation.     

Isolated Iliac Artery Aneurysm Caused by Fibromuscular Dysplasia: Report of a Case

Fibromuscular dysplasia (FMD) can develop in many different arteries, but iliac artery aneurysms are rare. A 69-year-old Japanese woman was admitted to our hospital for treatment of a right common iliac artery aneurysm. Aortography revealed aneurysms in both the right common iliac artery and the left internal iliac artery. Notably, the right common iliac artery aneurysm had a string-of-beads appearance. At surgery, the aneurysms were resected, and replaced with Y-shaped vascular prostheses. The histopathological diagnosis was fibromuscular dysplasia (FMD). We report this case of common iliac artery aneurysm caused by FMD due to its rarity.     

False Aneurysm in the Palmar Segment of the Ulnar Artery: Report of a Case

A case demonstrating a false aneurysm in the palmar segment of the ulnar artery caused by a Fogarty's catheter, which had been inserted during a thrombectomy, is described. The diagnosis was suspected based on a clinical examination, and duplex ultrasonography and computed tomography (CT) confirmed an aneurysm in the palmar segment of the ulnar artery. The patient underwent a successful aneurysmectomy with end-to-end reanastomosis. Received: October 29, 2001 / Accepted: May 7, 2002 Reprint requests to: Y. ünlü, Atatürk Mah. Universite Loj, 38/8, Erzurum, Turkey     

Giant Aneurysm of the Splenic Artery Adherent to the Pancreas with Splenic Infarct: Report of a Case

Giant aneurysms of the splenic artery are extremely rare clinical entities. The size of splenic aneurysms rarely exceeds 3 cm. The treatment includes surgical procedures that sometimes require pancreatectomy. We present a case of a 9 cm giant splenic artery aneurysm tightly adherent to the pancreas which was treated surgically.     

Removal of a Splenic Artery with a Large Aneurysm Adhered to the Pancreas Without Pancreatectomy: Report of a Case

Splenic artery aneurysms account for about 60% of all visceral aneurysms. The treatment include surgical procedures that sometimes require pancreatectomy. This report describes the case of a 64-year-old woman who had multiple splenic artery aneurysms with various visceral artery dilatations. Because there was no obvious cause for the splenic artery aneurysms and other arterial abnormalities, we suspected an anomaly of the connective tissue, which was subsequently confirmed by a postoperative histopathologic examination. Thus, we decided to remove the whole splenic artery, to eliminate the formation of any further aneurysms, as well as a splenectomy. During the operation, the largest splenic artery aneurysm was found to be adhered to the pancreas too tightly to ablate. It initially appeared that pancreatectomy would be necessary, but considering the associated risk of postoperative complications, we tried to avoid this. Thus, we cut open the aneurysm and excised it, leaving the anterior wall which was adhered to the pancreas. Our procedure proved the best way to preserve the pancreas and eliminate further aneurysmal formation. Received: July 12, 2001 / Accepted: January 8, 2002     

Cerebral Aneurysm Associated with Persistent Primitive Olfactory Artery Aneurysm

Summary Persistent primitive olfactory artery is a rare vascular anomaly but has a clinical importance because of its high association with cerebral aneurysm. We describe a patient with bilateral persistent primitive olfactory arteries associated with an unruptured saccular aneurysm on the left persistent primitive olfactory artery. Seven reported cases with this anomalous artery including ours are reviewed and classified into two variants. This anomalous artery arises from the terminal portion of the internal carotid artery and courses anteromedially along the ipsilateral olfactory tract and makes a hair-pin curve posterior to the olfactory bulb, becoming the distal anterior cerebral artery (variant 1) or the ethmoidal artery (variant 2). Out of 7 reported cases, 4 cases are associated with saccular aneurysms. The aneurysm in variant 1 is located on the hair-pin curve at which an apparent arterial branch is sometimes absent. Two patients suffer from anosmia. Persistent primitive olfactory artery should be kept in mind because of its high association with intracranial saccular aneurysms and unique clinical presentation.     

Bleeding Prolapsed Hemorrhoids as a Presentation of Ruptured Internal Iliac Artery Aneurysm: Report of a Case

Internal iliac artery aneurysms (IIAAs) are rare and their concealed location in the pelvis presents a diagnostic challenge. We report a case of a 79-year-old man who presented 12 years after an abdominal aortic aneurysm repair, with signs of prolapse, bleeding, hemorrhoids, and a deep vein thrombosis. His condition rapidly deteriorated, with the development of acute renal failure and obvious perianal and perineal ecchymoses, within a few days. Abdominal ultrasound and computed tomography showed a ruptured IIAA. His renal function returned to normal after surgical decompression of the aneurysm.     

Repair of an Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm with a Remarkably Dilated Meandering Artery: Report of a Case

A 73-year-old man on dialysis for chronic renal dysfunction was referred to our hospital for surgical treatment of an abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA). Preoperative angiography showed a remarkably developed meandering artery branching from the inferior mesenteric artery (IMA). The superior mesenteric and celiac arteries were occluded at the origin, and all blood flow to the abdominal organs was apparently supplied by collateral circulation from the IMA. Considering the risk of mesenteric ischemia after aortic clamping in conjunction during surgery, we used a perfusion catheter with a 12-F balloon to create a shunt to the IMA from the subclavian artery. The operation was successful and the patient recovered uneventfully. We describe this surgical procedure for its effectiveness in preventing postoperative mesenteric ischemia in a rare case of an AAA with complex branching lesions.     

Rupture of Infected Superficial Femoral Artery Aneurysm. A Case Report

A case of misdiagnosed infected superficial femoral artery aneurysm is presented.

It was initially misdiagnosed as thrombophlebitis. Surgical excision and repair with a saphenous vein interposition graft was performed.

The diagnosis of this disease is difficult because there is a lack of signs and symptoms. Staphylococcus aureus and enterobacter are the two most common organisms responsible for infected peripheral aneurysms. Surgery is the standard treatment: ligation, drainage and resection with or without arterial reconstruction depending upon the aneurysm localization.     

Successfully Treated Isolated Posterior Spinal Artery Aneurysm Causing Intracranial Subarachnoid Hemorrhage: Case Report

There are very few published reports of rupture of an isolated posterior spinal artery (PSA) aneurysm, and consequently the optimal therapeutic strategy is debatable. An 84-year-old man presented with sudden onset of restlessness and disorientation. Neuroradiological imaging showed an intracranial subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH) with no visible intracranial vascular lesion. Spinal magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) detected a localized subarachnoid hematoma at Th10–11. Both contrast-enhanced spinal computed tomography and enhanced MRI and magnetic resonance angiography revealed an area of enhancement within the hematoma. Superselective angiography of the left Th12 intercostal artery demonstrated a faintly enhanced spot in the venous phase. Thirteen days after the onset of symptoms, a small fusiform aneurysm situated on the radiculopial artery was resected. The patient''s postoperative course was uneventful and he was eventually discharged in an ambulatory condition. To our knowledge, this 84-year-old man is the oldest reported case of surgical management of a ruptured isolated PSA aneurysm. This case illustrates both the validity and efficacy of this therapeutic approach.     

Successful Coil Embolization of a Ruptured Basilar Artery Aneurysm in a Child with Leukemia: A Case Report

Ruptured intracranial aneurysms are rare in the pediatric population compared to adults. This has incited considerable discussion on how to treat children with this condition. Here, we report a child with a ruptured saccular basilar artery aneurysm that was successfully treated with coil embolization. A 12-year-old boy with acute lymphoblastic leukemia and accompanying abdominal candidiasis after chemotherapy suddenly complained of a severe headache and suffered consciousness disturbance moments later. Computed tomography scans and cerebral angiography demonstrated acute hydrocephalus and subarachnoid hemorrhage caused by saccular basilar artery aneurysm rupture. External ventricular drainage was performed immediately. Because the patient was in severe condition and did not show remarkable signs of central nervous system infection in cerebrospinal fluid studies, we applied endovascular treatment for the ruptured saccular basilar artery aneurysm, which was successfully occluded with coils. The patient recovered without new neurological deficits after ventriculoperitoneal shunting. Recent reports indicate that both endovascular and microsurgical techniques can be used to effectively treat ruptured cerebral aneurysms in pediatric patients. A minimally invasive endovascular treatment was effective in the present case, but long-term follow-up will be necessary to confirm the efficiency of endovascular treatment for children with ruptured saccular basilar artery aneurysms.     

Inferior Pancreaticoduodenal Artery Aneurysms in Association with Celiac Axis Stenosis or Occlusion

PURPOSE: To describe the pathophysiology, identification and management of inferior pancreaticoduodenal artery aneurysms in association with celiac axis stenosis or occlusion has been reported. REVIEW FINDINGS: These aneurysms are thought to arise due to increased flow through the pancreaticoduodenal arcades. The arcades first enlarge, and then form focal aneurysms which may rupture. The aneurysms can be treated through endovascular techniques or by surgery, though the former is a preferred approach.     

A Surgical Case of Bronchial Artery Aneurysm Directory Connecting with Pulmonary Artery

We present a surgical case of bronchial artery aneurysm (BAA) connecting pulmonary artery accompanied with racemose hemangioma. This is a third surgical case report of BAA directly connecting pulmonary artery in the English literature. A 63-year-old female was found a BAA, 2 cm in diameter, connecting right A4 pulmonary artery. The patient underwent two attempts for embolization. However, due to extensive collaterals, there was persistent flow in the aneurysm. Standard lateral thoracotomy was performed. A BAA was located between A4 and A5 PA. A small branch of A4 PA was separated, and the small vessel connecting to the BAA could be ligated. A5 PA was separated similarly, however BAA was ruptured not to identify the other small vessel connecting to the BAA. After a clamp of the BAA, middle lobe lobectomy was performed. We removed the aneurysm with dilated bronchial artery connecting to the aneurysm. The postoperative course was uneventful.     

An Infected Aneurysm of the Vertebral Artery Treated with a Stent-graft: A Case Report

In a 75-year-old man, a growing vertebral artery aneurysm at the C3/4 intervertebral level was found at postoperative evaluation of cervical abscess, which was diagnosed as a complication of sepsis subsequent to cholangitis. Even after a successful antibiotic treatment and a surgical drainage, the aneurysm grew enough to cause compression of esophagus and trachea. The aneurysm was judged to be infection-related, based on the clinical course and the anatomical vicinity to the abscess. Following a dual antiplatelet treatment (clopidogrel 75 mg and aspirin 100 mg per day) for a week, the patient underwent endovascular treatment of the aneurysm with a stent-graft. Postoperative angiography showed complete obliteration of the aneurysm with preserving patency of the vertebral artery. A dual antiplatelet treatment was continued for 6 months and was changed to a single antiplatelet treatment (clopidogrel 75 mg per day) thereafter. Neither recurrence of the aneurysm nor stent-graft infection was observed for 4 years of follow-up. This case illustrates the potential use of a stent-graft in the treatment of an infected aneurysm.