Management of Coeliac and Hepatic Artery Aneurysms: An Experience of 84 Cases.

OBJECTIVE: To report outcomes following open or endovascular treatment of true hepatic and coeliac artery aneurysms at a single referral centre. METHODS: This was a retrospective cohort study of consecutive patients treated for true hepatic and coeliac artery aneurysms between May 2002 and December 2021. Outcome measures included complications, graft patency, and survival rate. RESULTS: Overall, 84 patients were included with a median age of 63 years (interquartile range 55, 79). The majority (76%) of the patients were men. Frequent comorbidities included a history of tobacco (69%), hypertension (65%), hyperlipidaemia (32%), and diabetes (15%). Multiple synchronous aneurysms were detected in 22 patients (26%). There were 33 (39%) symptomatic aneurysms (abdominal pain without rupture [n = 18], rupture [n = 10], and sepsis [n = 5]). Seventeen patients (20%) had mycotic aetiology. Fifty patients (60%) underwent endovascular treatment with either covered stent placement (n = 29) or coil embolisation (n = 21), and 34 patients (40%) were treated with open surgery using allogenic iliac artery (n = 15), autologous saphenous vein (n = 15), GoreTex graft (n = 2), or ligation (n = 2). The complication rate was 32% in the open group and 18% in the endovascular group (p = .048). The overall 90 day post-operative mortality rate was 1.2%, five year primary patency was 90.0%, five year survival rate was 81.2%, and mean follow up was 6.9 ± 4.2 years. CONCLUSION: Endovascular treatment is the preferred approach whenever technically possible. Despite higher post-operative morbidity, an open approach with vascular reconstruction using autologous or allogenic vascular grafts yields acceptable long term results.

Assessment of open surgical and endovascular management of true hepatic artery aneurysms over 20 years highlights increased rupture risk in females.

BACKGROUND: True hepatic artery aneurysms (HAAs) are rare but have been associated with a significant risk of rupture and associated mortality. The 2020 release of HAA-specific clinical practice guidelines represented an important step toward management standardization. However, it remains essential to build on the body of evidence to further refine these recommendations. METHODS: The HAA management and outcomes from a single academic center during a 20-year period were retrospectively reviewed. We identified 72 patients from the institutional radiology database (November 24, 1999 to 2019). Pseudoaneurysms were excluded, and 48 patients were found to have had true HAAs. Forty-three HAA patients had sufficient medical records for inclusion in the analysis. RESULTS: Of the 43 patients with HAA included, 65% were male. The mean age was 63 years (range, 22-89 years). Of the HAAs, 72% presented asymptomatically, 16% had ruptured, and 12% were symptomatic at presentation. Most HAAs were of atherosclerotic origin (74%). In addition, 16% of the patients had other visceral aneurysms and 12% had nonvisceral aneurysms on presentation. The mean HAA size overall was 3.3 cm (range, 0.8-10.8 cm), with most being solitary (72%) and involving the common hepatic artery (65%). Rupture was more common in females (40%) and those with vasculitis (67%), with females representing 86% of all patients with rupture. The mean size at intervention was 4.8 cm (21 patients [49%]). Ten patients (23%) had undergone open surgical repair (seven elective and three emergent because of rupture). Eleven patients (26%) had undergone endovascular intervention (64% elective and 36% emergent). Nonoperative management was selected for 22 patients (51%). These patients had a mean HAA diameter of 2.1 cm, and 59% had a life-limiting illness. Of the 18 patients who had been initially monitored for a mean of 3.9 ± 4.1 years, 3 had undergone elective repair and 2 had minimal growth. None of these patients had a subsequently documented rupture. CONCLUSIONS: True HAAs are a rare but important clinical phenomenon, with 16% of patients presenting with rupture in this study. Endovascular intervention is a promising alternative to open surgical repair, with no 30-day mortality, and is suitable for ruptured HAAs. Importantly, for the first time, our findings have demonstrated an increased risk of rupture for females, highlighting the need for additional data and ultimately, sex-specific guidelines.

Streptococcus agalactiae infective endocarditis complicated by multiple mycotic hepatic aneurysms and massive splenic infarction: a case report.

BACKGROUND: The burden of disease caused by Streptococcus agalactiae has increased significantly among older adults in the last decades. Group B streptococcus infection can be associated with invasive disease and severe clinical syndromes, such as meningitis and endocarditis. CASE PRESENTATION: We present the case of a 56-year-old man who developed multiple mycotic aneurysms of the right hepatic artery and massive splenic infarction as rare complications of Streptococcus agalactiae infective endocarditis. The patient underwent urgent right hepatic artery ligation and splenectomy. The postoperative course was complicated by an episode of hemobilia due to the rupture of a partially thrombosed mycotic aneurysm into the biliary tree. Thus, selective radiological embolization of the left hepatic artery branches was necessary. CONCLUSION: To our knowledge, this is the first case reported of infected aneurysms of visceral arteries caused by Group B streptococcus infection. Clinical and laboratory findings were non-specific, while imaging features with computed tomography scan and angiography were highly suggestive. In our case, early recognition, culture-specific intravenous antibiotics and urgent surgical treatment combined with interventional radiology played a decisive role in the final result.

Hepatic artery aneurysm post remote pancreaticoduodenectomy.

We present a case of a 4.2-cm hepatic artery aneurysm following remote pancreaticoduodenectomy, which extended to the first division of the right hepatic artery. Given the absence of collateral flow from the superior mesenteric artery (SMA) and the inability to place a covered stent, we treated the patient with a saphenous vein graft to the right hepatic artery bifurcation. A CT scan at 1-year demonstrated a patent bypass to the right hepatic artery. We would advise caution when considering hepatic embolization following pancreaticoduodenectomy due to loss of SMA-based collaterals. Techniques that preserve arterial flow should be favored in this situation.

Combined Endovascular Repair of a Giant Symptomatic Hepatic Aneurysm: A Case Report and Comprehensive Literature Review.

Hepatic artery aneurysms (HAAs) are an uncommon vascular disease, which account for 20% of visceral artery aneurysms. The majority are usually asymptomatic and discovered accidentally during imaging control, but occasionally, they can present as acute abdominal pain, haemobilia, obstructive jaundice, or gastrointestinal bleeding due to aneurysm sac expansion or rupture with catastrophic consequences. We present the case of a 51-year-old male patient with a giant common HAA of 11.1 cm who was managed endovascularly. A combined endovascular approach was decided due to the anatomy of the aneurysm. Endovascular embolization with coils in the distal part of the aneurysm and deployment of a stent graft proximally to exclude inflow were used. At six months, the aneurysm size was regressed at 5 cm; however, seven months after the operation, the patient presented with pylorus perforation due to coil migration which was managed by coil removal, peripheral gastrectomy, and Roux-en-Y gastric bypass. We provide a narrative literature review regarding the endovascular repair of giant HAAs. The PubMed, Scopus, and Google Scholar databases were searched for articles up to January 2024. Thirty-eight studies (case reports, case series) were retrieved. The conclusion is that giant HAAs are a rare and severe condition in which their treatment can be challenging with unexpected adverse events. The literature review suggests that the endovascular approach whenever feasible is a safe and effective treatment option with low morbidity and mortality.

Immunoglobulin G4-related hepatic artery aneurysm.

A 49-year-old man who was a current smoker with a history of hypertension, dyslipidemia, and coronary artery disease after coronary stent placement presented because of abdominal and back pain. Contrast-enhanced computed tomography showed a 30-mm, large hepatic artery aneurysm. Resection of the aneurysm and autogenous vein bypass grafting was performed, which resulted in a successful outcome without any complications. Pathologic examination of the aneurysm confirmed that it was related to immunoglobulin G4 (IgG4). The patient's serum IgG4 level was within the normal range, and no other signs of IgG4-related organ lesions were observed.

Right Gastroepiploic Artery Transposition for a Common Hepatic Artery and Proper Hepatic Artery Aneurysm Repair.

Although hepatic artery aneurysms (HAAs) are uncommon, they are associated with risk of rupture. HAAs >2 cm in diameter require endovascular or open surgical repairs. For HAAs involving the proper hepatic artery or gastroduodenal artery, which is a collateral artery from the superior mesenteric artery, hepatic arterial reconstruction is especially important to avoid ischemic liver injury. In this study, right gastroepiploic artery transposition was performed in a 53-year-old man after a 4 cm common hepatic artery and proper hepatic artery aneurysm was identified. The patient was discharged without any complications on postoperative day 8.

Intrahepatic Pseudoaneurysm Developing at the Confluence of Bilateral Biliary Drains Six Months Following a Procedure- A Case Report.

BACKGROUND: Hepatic artery aneurysms (HAAs) exhibit a notable risk of rupture, with both true aneurysms and pseudoaneurysms being exceptionally uncommon (incidence rate approximately 2 per 100,000). Symptoms include epigastric and right upper quadrant pain, jaundice, and potentially life-threatening bleeding upon rupture. This bleeding can extend into the portal vein, hepatic vein, biliary system, or abdominal cavity. While existing literature lacks reports of delayed post-therapeutic complications, this case report discusses a 27-year-old female who developed a pseudoaneurysm six months after bilateral biliary drain insertion, underscoring the potential for delayed complications. CASE PRESENTATION: The patient underwent gastric endoscopy revealing an extensive lower esophageal varix protruding into the proximal stomach, subsequently treated with banding. The stomach and duodenum were found to contain fresh blood and blood clots indicating acute bleeding. An urgent CT scan identified active bleeding (extravasation) at segment V and blood accumulation at the confluence of the right and left biliary drains. This was followed by celiac and selective hepatic digital subtraction angiography (DSA). CONCLUSION: This case study outlines the occurrence of a hepatic artery pseudoaneurysm six months after percutaneous insertion of bilateral biliary drains. The pseudoaneurysm manifested precisely at the confluence of the right and left drains. The reported delayed complication may have resulted from friction between the drains at the confluence or erosion of the adjacent artery by the drains. The insights gained from this case shed light on the causes and preventive measures for potential delayed complications associated with percutaneous biliary drain placement.

Hughes-Stovin Syndrome: An Experience of Management of 3 Cases From a Tertiary Health Care Centre.

Three young males with Hugh-Stovin's syndrome presented with cough, haemoptysis, fever, raised inflammatory markers, and pulmonary artery aneurysm. Only one had recurrent oral ulcers suggestive of Behcet's disease, and none were HLA B51 positive. All responded well to immunosuppression but eventually needed either an endovascular procedure or surgery.

Splenic artery transposition for reconstruction of a large hepatic artery aneurysm: A case report and literature review.

INTRODUCTION AND IMPORTANCE: Hepatic artery aneurysms (HAAs) are rare. Typical treatment options for HAAs are surgical resection and endovascular treatment but treatment choices remain controversial. CASE PRESENTATION: A 65-year-old woman was rushed to our hospital suspected to have hemorrhage. Contrast-enhanced CT showed a large 12 cm aneurysm of the common hepatic artery (CHA). We diagnosed duodenal hemorrhage due to imminent rupture of the HAA. Angiography was first performed. The inferior pancreaticoduodenal artery was embolized with a coil under interventional radiology technique for arterial bleeding control. Next, we performed resection of the aneurysm and total pancreatectomy with splenic artery reservation. We reconstructed via splenic artery transposition because of the reconstruction distance, vascular system, and stability of the anastomosis. The patient was discharged from the hospital on postoperative day 21 without any complications. CLINICAL DISCUSSION: There are two key points in this report. Firstly, the choice of splenic artery transposition is optimal for caliber difference and reconstruction distance. The choice of splenic artery should be considered a reliable option. Secondly, total pancreatectomy avoids exposure to pancreatic juice at the anastomosis site due to pancreatic fistula. CONCLUSION: Splenic artery transposition for HAA is advantageous in adjustability of the caliber difference and securing of sufficient distance. In addition, total pancreatectomy may be acceptable in patients with a normal pancreas to avoid fatal complications such as disruption of the anastomosis and reconstructed artery due to pancreatic juice exposure.

Surgical repair of an emergent giant hepatic aneurysm with an abdominal aortic dissection: A case report.

BACKGROUND: Hepatic artery aneurysm (HAA) is the second most common visceral aneurysm. A significant number of hepatic aneurysms are found accidentally on examination. However, their natural history is characterized by their propensity to rupture, which is very serious and requires urgent treatment. An emergent giant hepatic aneurysm with an abdominal aortic dissection is less commonly reported. CASE SUMMARY: We report the complicated case of a giant hepatic aneurysm with an abdominal aortic dissection. A 66-year-old female presented with the complaint of sudden upper abdominal pain accompanied by vomiting. Physical examination showed that her blood pressure was 214/113 mmHg. Her other vital signs were stable. Computed tomography found a giant hepatic proper aneurysm and dissection of the lower segment of the abdominal aorta. Furthermore, angiography showed a HAA with the maximum diameter of approximately 56 mm originating from the proper hepatic artery and located approximately 15 mm from the involved bifurcation of the left and right hepatic arteries with no collateral circulation. Therefore, we decided to use a stent to isolate the abdominal aortic dissection first, and then performed open repair. After the operation, the patient recovered well without complications, and her 3-month follow-up checkup did not reveal any late complications. CONCLUSION: Open surgery is a proven method for treating giant hepatic aneurysms. If the patient's condition is complex, staged surgery is an option.

Hepatic artery aneurysm in the setting of focal nodular hyperplasia.

Hepatic artery aneurysms (HAA) are rare and may be seen in the setting of infection and vascular disease. Clinical presentation is variable but many are found incidentally during imaging studies. The association of HAA with focal nodular hyperplasia (FNH) is rarely reported in literature. We present the case of a 68-year-old woman found to have a hepatic artery aneurysm and hepatic mass, both within the same liver segment. FNH and hepatic adenomas share similar imaging features but have different treatments due to malignant potential of the latter, and biopsy should be performed when adenoma cannot be excluded. In this case biopsy of the mass revealed it to be FNH and the aneurysm was treated with embolization rather than surgery.

Spontaneous thrombosis of a giant common hepatic artery aneurysm-A case report.

Splachnic aneurysms (hepatic artery aneurysms) are a rare entity ranging from atypical symptoms to devastating rupture.

Management of a common and proper hepatic artery aneurysm.

First-line management of hepatic artery aneurysms is via an endovascular approach. However, unfavorable anatomy may preclude this. We present a patient with an aneurysm involving most of the common hepatic artery and the entire proper hepatic artery including the emergence of the right and left hepatic artery and the gastroduodenal artery. The endovascular approach was not feasible due to unfavorable anatomy. The patient was successfully treated with an open bifurcated Dacron graft.

Common hepatic artery aneurysm detected by 18F-FDG PET/CT Imaging.

Hepatic artery aneurysm (HAA) is a rare, yet clinically important, condition. While the causes of HAA are poorly understood, it is estimated that mortality following spontaneous rupture is as high as 40%. We discuss the case of a 77-year-old man who presented to our hospital due to a 10 mm pulmonary lesion in the left lower lung lobe, which was identified by a computed tomography scan of the lung at another institution. An examination with 18F-fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography/computed tomography was performed in our department, but no significant uptake of 18F-fluorodeoxyglucose was found in the lung, and HAA was diagnosed only incidentally. A magnetic resonance imaging angiography supported the differential diagnosis of HAA, and the aneurysm was confirmed by targeted angiography. It was located in the common hepatic artery and was coiled during an intervention session. HAA accounts for 20% of all visceral aneurysms and, with a poorly understood natural history, is difficult to diagnose clinically, but early detection and treatment of HAA can improve prognosis.

Ruptured Hepatic Artery Aneurysm.

Aneurysmal ruptures are a life-threatening pathology, and while the aorta is the principal location, any aneurysmal rupture can be fatal. Most result from chronic diseases, such as hypertension, diabetes, and vasculitis. Nevertheless, a rupture can result in acute decompensation and must be recognized and addressed quickly to limit morbidity and mortality. The authors describe a case of a 66-year-old female who presented to the emergency department (ED) for abdominal pain and syncope. Even though imaging did not explicitly show the specific site of rupture of the hepatic artery, the positive Rapid Ultrasound for Shock and Hypotension (RUSH) exam and aortic dissection on computed tomography angiography along with her clinical picture (hypotension, abdominal pain, decreased capillary refill, grey skin) raised our suspicions for critical pathology. Exploratory laparotomy revealed a ruptured hepatic artery aneurysm. Her hospital course was complicated by ischemic necrosis of the gallbladder, spleen, and liver, requiring cholecystectomy, splenectomy, and partial hepatectomy, but she was discharged to rehabilitation and expected to make a recovery. This case displays the importance of using ultrasonography early to aid in expedited diagnosis and treatment as well as maintaining a high suspicion for vascular pathology in the setting of hemorrhagic shock.

Management of hepatic artery aneurysm: A case series.

Hepatic artery aneurysms are rare, but their diagnosis is important because of high mortality and complications. Common risk factors for developing these aneurysms include hypertension, vascular disease, pancreatitis, diabetes, tobacco use, autoimmune diseases, and previous transplantation. Frequent imaging for trauma and tumor surveillance has increased the incidence of naive hepatic aneurysms. These aneurysms can be difficult to manage, and it can be challenging to decide the correct treatment modality for the patient. Hereby, we present four cases of hepatic artery aneurysm and discuss various treatment options. Patient 1 suffered from a proper and right hepatic artery aneurysm discovered incidentally; repaired with an endovascular intervention later complicated by an endoleak which was further managed by another stenting. Patient 2 had a common hepatic artery aneurysm followed with serial imaging without any intervention. Patient 3 had a hepatic artery aneurysm and liver mass diagnosed concurrently. The patient underwent an open surgical repair of his aneurysm with graft and liver resection which was complicated later with rupture of aneurysm followed by surgical bypass repair. Patient 4 suffered from a large hepatic artery aneurysm causing bile duct compression. Her aneurysm was repaired open with splenic artery grafting. Patients were managed from careful observation to surgery with different outcomes.

Hepatic artery aneurysm: A case report of a novel approach to an age old problem.

INTRODUCTION: Visceral artery aneurysms are a relatively uncommon but potentially devastating pathology. The most common site is the splenic artery followed by the hepatic (Stanley et al., 1986) [1]. In the event of rupture, mortality has been estimated at anywhere between 20% and 100% (Schweigert et al., 2011) [2]. Emergency surgery in such a scenario has previously been dependent on an open approach with high morbidity and mortality associated (Schweigert et al., 2011) [2]. The advent of endovascular techniques may improve both short and long term outcomes as highlighted in this case. PRESENTATION OF CASE: We present the case of a ruptured common hepatic artery aneurysm presenting with acute abdominal pain and haemodynamic instability. Minimally invasive surgery in the form of endovascular repair via two covered stents from the coeliac trunk in to the splenic artery (excluding flow in to the common hepatic artery aneurysm) allowed for immediate management without the significant morbidity and mortality with which open surgery is associated. DISCUSSION: This resulted in resolution of acute haemorrhage while liver perfusion was maintained via the portal vein and arterial collaterals. Follow-up highlighted both short and medium term success. CONCLUSION: This case highlights that endovascular management in the case of visceral artery aneurysm rupture is a viable option while also portraying several important anatomic considerations essential to hepatic perfusion.

Surgical treatment for common hepatic aneurysm. Original one-step technique.

INTRODUCTION: Hepatic artery aneurysms are rare, and their treatment represents a challenge for the surgeons. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A new technique is presented for common hepatic artery (CHA) aneurysm: it requires minimal vascular surgical dissection and only one linear vascular stapler is applied at the bottom of aneurysm. Aneurysm exclusion is easily obtained, which allowed retrograde thrombosis. Liver blood supply is ensured to the right and left hepatic artery, through the gastroduodenal artery, and can be previously monitored, with temporary clamping of the section area, by visual control, enzyme evaluation and intraoperative ultrasound examination. We reported an open surgical treatment, with simultaneous removal of hepatic and adrenal metastases, secondary to colon cancer. RESULTS: The duration of vascular surgery was 30 min and did not involve complications. Postoperative controls confirmed the efficacy of the procedure. DISCUSSION: This original technique can be added to the various open and endovascular techniques so far described for the treatment of a CHA aneurysm. It is advisable as open surgery, mostly in case of associated pathologies. CONCLUSIONS: The authors believe that this "one shot" technique by vascular staple of the distal part of CHA is minimally invasive and effective to obtain the exclusion of the aneurysm.