The endovascular management of visceral artery aneurysms and pseudoaneurysms

A, Preoperative computed tomography (CT) image demonstrates a 3.0 cm distal splenic artery aneurysm in a young woman. The splenic artery aneurysm was incidentally discovered during an evaluation for an unrelated cause of abdominal pain. B, Aortography with selective celiac axis imaging confirmed the presence of a splenic artery aneurysm. A shaped 6F sheath was placed into the ostium of the celiac axis. A 5 F hydrophilic catheter was then used with a hydrophilic 0.035-inch wire to selectively gain access into the splenic artery. A 3F microcatheter was advanced thru the 5F catheter over a 0.018-inch wire. N-butyl-2-cyanoacrylate (N-BCA), diluted 1:3 with ethiodized oil, was used to occlude the outflow vessel. Coils were deployed in the aneurysm sac and in the inflow vessel to completely exclude the aneurysm. Angiography after deployment of coils and N-BCA confirms successful exclusion of the aneurysm sac and absence of flow within outflow vessels. C, Postoperative CT demonstrates coil and glue artifact with no gross evidence of aneurysm sac flow.

An elderly man presented with signs of hypovolemic shock and abdominal pain. After initial stabilization, a computed tomography (CT) scan demonstrated the presence of a large mesenteric hematoma with a contrast blush arising from a mesenteric branch. A, Selective visceral angiography identified a fusiform aneurysm of the left branch of the middle colic artery. B, A 6F sheath was placed into the ostium of the superior mesenteric artery. A 5F hydrophilic catheter was advanced to the origin of the middle colic artery. A 3F microcatheter with 0.018-inch wire was used to selectively cannulate the middle colic artery and its left branch. The microcatheter was advanced through the aneurysm into its outflow vessel. N-butyl-2-cyanoacrylate (N-BCA) and 0.018-inch coils were deployed within the aneurysm sac and N-BCA was instilled within the inflow vessel. C, Postoperative imaging demonstrated a patent superior mesenteric artery and middle colic artery. The left branch was not visualized because it was completely ablated. Coils and glue are evident, however.

A middle-aged man, who had previously undergone aortohepatic bypass grafting for an occluded celiac axis, presented with an incidentally discovered large pancreaticoduodenal aneurysm. A, His computed tomography (CT) scan demonstrated a large aneurysm arising from a branch of the superior mesenteric artery (SMA). B, CT shows the aneurysm collaterilizing with the superior pancreaticoduodenal arcade of the gastroduodenal artery (GDA). He underwent selective angiography of the aortohepatic bypass and SMA, demonstrating filling of the aneurysm via both mesenteric vessels. A 6F sheath was first placed into the ostium of the aortohepatic bypass, with subsequent passage of a hydrophilic 5F catheter into the distal aspect of the bypass. Selective cannulation of the GDA was then performed with a microcatheter and 0.014-inch wire. Glue ablation of the aneurysm sac, as well as its inflow via the GDA and inferior pancreaticoduodenal vessels, was achieved. C, Postoperative imaging confirmed successful ablation of the aneurysm with a patent SMA.

Distribution of visceral artery aneurysms (VAA) and visceral artery pseudoaneurysms (VAPA) amongst the various visceral arterial beds. (SMA, Superior mesenteric artery.)