[Experiences with the endovascular embolization therapy of aneurysms of the splanchnic arteries--a report on 13 cases].

PURPOSE

The authors report on their experience in endovascular embolization therapy in 13 cases with splanchnic artery aneurysms or pseudoaneurysms.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

Three patients suffered from true aneurysms, ten patients presented pseudoaneurysms of different origin. Eight patients were transferred to our department for life-threatening intestinal bleeding. Five patients showed transpapillary bleeding, four of whom presented with haemobilia and one patient had intermittent bleeding into the pancreatic duct due to a true aneurysm of the splenic artery. Embolization was performed using a coaxial microcatheter coil delivery system. In 4 patients the aneurysm-bearing vessel was temporarily blocked during the intervention.

RESULTS

In 11 patients definite occlusion of the aneurysm was obtained without surgical intervention. In one patient, suffering from a splenic aneurysm, we observed a partial inadvertent embolisation of the spleen which did not require further treatment. In one case, rupture of an hepatic aneurysm during embolization occurred. One patient with pseudoaneurysm due to displacement of a port catheter showed severe rebleeding one day after embolisation.

CONCLUSION

Transcatheter embolization is an effective method for treatment of aneurysms of the splanchnic arteries. To avoid life-threatening bleeding due to rupture of the aneurysm, the feeding vessel should be temporarily blocked during embolization therapy.