Objective:To summarize an experience in the management of 16 cases of splenic artery aneurysm.
Methods :The clinical data of 16 patients with splenic artery aneurysm treated from January 1980 to April 2008, were retrospectively reviewed. There were 12 female and 4 male patients. Fifteen patients were diagnosed by Doppler ultrasonography and CT angiography (CTA) and 1 patient was diagnosed during operation. Four patients with ruptured splenic artery aneurysm underwent emergent operations, 7 patients underwent elective surgery or interventional therapy, and 2 patients received close follow-up without surgical treatment. The surgical procedures included aneurysmectomy and splenectomy in 9 patients, distal pancreatectomy in 3cases; aneurysmectomy and reconstruction of splenic artery in one patient; aneurysmectomy and splenic artery ligation in one patient; interventional embolization of the splenic aneurysm in 3 patients.
Results:All of the 14 patients who underwent surgical treatment recovered well postoperatively; there were no deaths or severe complications in the perioperative period. Of the 14 patieuts,11were followed up for 0.5~0.9.0 years with average 8.4 years. 9 patients well alive well. 2 patients died of other disease. Two patients undergoin non-operative management were observed for 3, 5 years,respectively,the aneurysms were no change.
Conclusions:Splenic artery aneurysm is more common in females. CT angiography (CTA) and Doppler ultrasonography are useful examinations to confirm the diagnosis. Aneurysmectomy or interventional embolization is effective treatment to prevent lethal rupture.