[Giant aneurysm of the splenic artery. Case report and review of the literature]. / Anévrisme géant de l'artère splénique. A propos d'un cas et revue de la littérature.

ABSTRACT

INTRODUCTION: Giant splenic artery aneurysm is exceptional. We report a case and review the literature to ascertain the characteristic epidemiological, clinical and therapeutic features of this condition. CASE REPORT A 62-year-old man was admitted for epigastric pain. Physical examination found an epigastric pulsatile mass. A contrast computed scan of the abdomen revealed a 10-cm thrombosed aneurysm of the splenic artery. An abdominal aortography, including selective celiac angiography, confirmed the presence of a 10-cm aneurysm originating from the medial third of the splenic artery. The patient underwent open surgical repair. The proximal and the distal splenic artery were ligated from within the aneurysm. The postoperative period was uneventful. CONCLUSION: Giant aneurysm of the splenic artery is a rare clinical entity. These aneurysms differ from usual splenic artery aneurysms in several ways involving the predominant gender, localization on the splenic artery, clinical presentation, and treatment.