[Aneurysm of the celiac trunk: review of the literature and report of a clinical case].

After reviewing current and past medical Literature regarding celiac axis aneurysms the case of a 70 year-old emphysematous patient with an aneurysm of the celiac axis measuring 6 cm in diameter is reported. The patient's pulmonary function testing status strongly precluded a surgical option. Angiographic embolization of the aneurysm was then performed. The Authors observed that embolization with immediate occlusion of all afferent vessels of the celiac axis leads to no serious short or long-term consequences as long as an adequate collateral hepatic circulation is maintained through the gastroduodenal and inferior pancreaticoduodenal arteries. This case would appear to be the first described in the Literature and the Authors hold this technique to be a valid alternative whenever a surgical procedure would be difficult or impossible to perform.