Nonsurgical treatment of splenic-artery aneurysms.

Splenic-artery aneurysms are commonly found incidentally during abdominal angiography. Because approximately 10% of these aneurysms may rupture and lead to fatal hemorrhage, surgical treatment is indicated. A new, nonsurgical approach is described in which the splenic-artery aneurysm is packed with foreign matter introduced through a catheter to induce thrombosis. The procedure can be carried out under local anesthesia and is the preferred technique in high-risk patients. As more experience is gained with this procedure, it can be performed on an elective basis under local anesthesia and the patients can be spared the disadvantages of laparotomy.