Successful transcatheter arterial embolization of an inferior pancreaticoduodenal artery aneurysm associated with celiac axis stenosis

A case of inferior pancreaticoduodenal artery (IPDA) aneurysm associated with celiac axis stenosis was successfully treated using only transcatheter arterial embolization (TAE). A 57-year-old woman was urgently referred to our hospital with sudden abdominal pain; computed tomography revealed retroperitoneal hematoma due to bleeding from an aneurysm around the superior mesenteric artery (SMA). Selective angiography into the SMA showed an aneurysm derived from the IPDA posterior branch; the IPDA anterior branch was intact and contrast medium flowed into the common hepatic artery territory through the pancreatic arcade because of celiac axis stenosis. We subsequently performed TAE on the lesion. Arteriography after TAE showed that the aneurysm had disappeared and that the IPDA anterior branch was intact. She had no aneurysm recurrence for about two years after the treatment. We believe that TAE is effective even for a PDA aneurysm with celiac axis stenosis or occlusion. However, it is important to perform embolization precisely and over a long period.     

Celiac artery stenting: a new strategy for patients with pancreaticoduodenal artery aneurysm associated with stenosis of the celiac artery

We report a new strategy—celiac artery stenting—to relieve stenosis of the celiac arterial root. This was performed in two patients with pancreaticoduodenal artery (PDA) aneurysm associated with a stenotic celiac arterial root. The first patient was a 66-year-old man complaining of abrupt onset of upper abdominal pain. Abdominal computed tomography revealed a huge retroperitoneal hematoma behind the duodenum, and superior mesenteric artery (SMA) angiography demonstrated an aneurysm arising from inferior pancreaticoduodenal artery and celiac arteriography showed a stenotic celiac arterial root. Transcatheter embolization of the aneurysm was tried, but failed. Because of his unstable hemodynamics, emergent laparotomy with resection of the aneurysm was performed. Fourteen days after the operation, percutaneous transluminal angioplasty with celiac arterial stenting was done. The patient was discharged 2 days later, and has had no further bleeding episode for 3 years. The second patient was a 46-year-old woman, who also complained of acute upper abdominal pain. Abdominal computed tomography disclosed a huge retroperitoneal hematoma, and selective SMA angiography demonstrated an aneurysm arising from the inferior pancreaticoduodenal artery, and celiac arteriography showed a stenotic celiac arterial root. Because angiography showed no active bleeding from the aneurysm, percutaneous transluminal angioplastic stenting of the stenotic celiac artery was performed. She was discharged 5 days later and has had no further bleeding episode for 2 years. Celiac arterial stenting, as shown in our two patients, could be easily and safely employed in patients with PDA aneurysm associated with a stenotic celiac arterial root to release the stenosis of the celiac arterial root and to prevent further possible bleeding.     

Significance of intraoperative monitoring of arterial blood flow velocity and hepatic venous oxygen saturation for performing minimally invasive surgery in a patient with multiple calcified pancreaticoduodenal aneurysms with celiac artery occlusion

Even for patients with multiple pancreaticoduodenal aneurysms, successful treatment with noninvasive operative procedures can be employed, if intraoperative devices are considered. A 73‐year‐old man, without any symptoms, was admitted to our hospital and had computed tomography (CT) scanning to examine his liver for hepatitis C virus (HCV). Selective superior mesenteric artery (SMA) angiography confirmed multiple aneurysms in the anterior inferior pancreaticoduodenal artery (AIPDA), one aneurysm in the posterior inferior mesenteric artery (PIPDA), and another in the occluded celiac trunk, all with severe calcification. All of the aneurysms were thought to communicate with each other. With the celiac artery occlusion, the right hepatic artery (RHA) was revealed to be supplied by collateral arteries from the aneurysms in the AIPDA, and the left hepatic artery was shown to be supplied by collaterals from the left gastric artery. Intraoperative Doppler echography, at the time of the clamping of both IPDAs, demonstrated a marked decrease of blood velocity in all aneurysms (before clamping, >50 cm/s; after, <10 cm/s), although loss of pulsation and a marked decrease of flow in the RHA were inevitable. Therefore, each of these two IPDAs were ligated on the proximal side to the aneurysm, thus preserving the blood flow of the pancreas head fed by the PIPDA; bypass grafting from the AIPDA to the RHA, using the great saphenous vein, was done at the same time. After the creation of an anastomosis, the hepatic venous oxygen saturation (ShvO2) increased from 38% (at the time of ligation of the IPDAs) to 57% under ventilation. The patient's postoperative clinical course was uneventful. We describe and discuss our successful noninvasive operative management of multiple pancreaticoduodenal aneurysms, done while monitoring the blood flow and ShvO2, with some consideration of the literature.     

Treatment strategy for pancreatic head cancer with celiac axis stenosis in pancreaticoduodenectomy: A case report and review of literature

BACKGROUND During pancreaticoduodenectomy in patients with celiac axis(CA)stenosis due to compression by the median arcuate ligament(MAL),the MAL has to be divided to maintain hepatic blood flow in many cases.However,MAL division often fails,and success can only be determined intraoperatively.To overcome this problem,we performed endovascular CA stenting preoperatively,and thereafter safely performed pancreaticoduodenectomy.We present this case as a new preoperative treatment strategy that was successful.CASE SUMMARY A 77-year-old man with a diagnosis of pancreatic head cancer presented to our department for surgery.Preoperative assessment revealed CA stenosis caused by MAL.We performed endovascular stenting in the CA preoperatively because we knew that going into the operation without a strategy could lead to ischemic complications.Double-antiplatelet therapy(DAPT)–which is needed when a stent is inserted–was then administered in parallel with neoadjuvant chemotherapy(NAC).This allowed us to administer DAPT for a sufficient period before the main pancreaticoduodenectomy procedure while obtaining therapeutic effects from NAC.Subtotal stomach-preserving pancreaticoduodenectomy was thenperformed.The operation did not require any unusual techniques and was performed safely.Postoperatively,the patient progressed well,without any ischemic complications.Histopathologically,curative resection was confirmed,and the patient had no recurrence or complications due to ischemia up to six months postoperatively.CONCLUSION Preoperative endovascular stenting,with NAC and DAPT,is effective and safe prior to pancreaticoduodenectomy in potentially resectable pancreatic cancer.     

Collaterals management during pancreatoduodenectomy in patients with celiac axis stenosis: A systematic review of the literature

Background/Objectives

Celiac axis stenosis (CAS) represents an uncommon and typically innocuous condition. However, when a pancreatic resection is required, a high risk for upper abdominal organs ischemia is observed. In presence of collaterals, such a risk is minimized if their preservation is realized. The aim of the present study is to systematically review the literature with the intent to address the routine management of collateral arteries in the case of CAS patients requiring pancreatoduodenectomy.

Distal pancreatectomy with resection of the celiac axis and reconstruction of the hepatic artery for carcinoma of the body and tail of the pancreas

Distal pancreatectomy with resection of the celiac axis can increase resectability of carcinoma of the body and tail of the pancreas. We performed reconstruction of the hepatic artery to avoid complications caused by a decrease in hepatic arterial flow. We carried out distal pancreatectomy with resection of the celiac axis for carcinoma of the body and tail of the pancreas in four patients. When pulsation in the proper hepatic artery was weak after occlusion of the celiac axis, we performed reconstruction of the hepatic artery, using the splenic artery, which had been taken beforehand from the resected specimen. In two patients, we performed reconstruction of the hepatic artery. These two patients underwent reconstruction of the portal vein combined with prolonged clamping of the portal vein. Levels of alanine aminotransferase (ALT) and aspartate aminotransferase (AST) were elevated just after the operation, but recovered to normal levels within 10 days. No complications related to hepatic ischemia were observed. These results suggested that reconstruction of the hepatic artery allowed us to safely perform distal pancreatectomy with resection of the celiac axis for carcinoma of the body and tail of the pancreas.