Strategies for endovascular treatment of complicated splenic artery aneurysms

Abstract

Objective: Endovascular treatment (ET) is being increasingly used for splenic artery aneurysms (SAAs), but systematic treatment strategies have not been defined. We set out to investigate the optimal strategies for ET of complicated SAAs (CSAAs).

Methods: CSAAs were classified into three types: type I, rupture or impending rupture; type II, at the origin of the splenic artery; and type III, having an aberrant splenic artery from the splenomesenteric trunk (type IIIA) or celiacomesenteric trunk (type IIIB). SAAs treated at our center during the last decade were reviewed, and CSAAs were selected for analysis. Patients' demographics, clinical manifestations, aneurysm characteristics, ET strategies, and outcomes were analyzed.

Results: A total of 154 SAAs were identified, with 24 (15.6%) being CSAAs. Open surgery was employed in two patients, whereas 22 patients underwent ET. There were 3 patients with type I (type IIIA co-occurred in one of them), 5 with type II, and 15 with type III CSAAs. Treatment strategies included the following: immediate and thorough exclusion with embolization of the collaterals for type I; and dense embolization of the sac and outflow artery, with or without embolization of the inflow artery, or covered stent placement in the splenomesenteric trunk or celiacomesenteric, for types II and III. Technical success was achieved in 21 patients (95.5%). Mean follow-up was 33.7 ± 31.2 months (range, 1.5-117.0 months). The aneurysms remained completely thrombosed and unenlarged in 21 patients (95.5%). Reintervention was needed in one patient (4.5%) for persistent sac enlargement. The covered stent was asymptomatically occluded in one patient (11.1%). No hepatic or intestinal ischemia or death developed perioperatively or during the follow-up period.

Conclusions: With reasonable strategies toward the urgency and thoroughness needed for aneurysm exclusion as well as the anatomic challenges, ET appeared to be feasible, safe, and effective in the management of CSAAs.

Keywords: Aberrant splenic artery; Aneurysm; Endovascular treatment; Rupture.