Spontaneous Rupture of Splenic Artery Aneurysm: A Case Report and Review of the Literature

Introduction: Splenic artery aneurysms are uncommon and typically asymptomatic. However, they pose a high risk of mortality if they rupture. Case Report: This case report describes the occurrence of a spontaneous rupture of a splenic artery aneurysm in a 55-year-old man with no known previous diseases, no trauma history, and no risk factors for developing an aneurysm who applied to the emergency department with abdominal pain. The diagnosis was determined with an urgent abdominal computed tomography angiography scan. The patient received urgent surgical intervention consisting of splenectomy and excision of the splenic artery aneurysm. Conclusion: The rupture of a spontaneous splenic artery aneurysm is a rare and fatal disease that necessitates urgent diagnosis and treatment. Spontaneous splenic artery aneurysm usually develops without any noticeable symptoms and is frequently discovered by chance. In the event of a rupture, it can lead to abrupt abdominal pain and hypovolemic shock and the mortality rate is high. Ultrasound, Computed Tomography, Magnetic Resonance Imaging, and abdominal aortic arteriography are the methods of imaging that are used to diagnose splenic artery aneurysms. The key elements in patient management include prompt resuscitation, diagnostic imaging, surgical consultation, and subsequently performing a laparotomy. In our case, the diagnosis was determined using emergency contrast-enhanced Computed Tomography and was treated with open surgery, specifically splenectomy and excision of the splenic artery aneurysm. References: 1. Tani R, Hori T, Yamamoto H, Harada H, Yamamoto M, Yamada M, et al. Severely Calcified True Aneurysm: A Thought-Provoking Case of Solitary Origin and Postoperative Management. Am J Case Rep. 2019;20: 620-627. 2. Al-Habbal Y, Christophi C, Muralidharan V. Aneurysms of the splenic artery - a review. Surgeon. 2010;8(4): 223-231. 3. Mandal S, Das PM, Mandal AK. Caroli’s syndrome leading to splenic artery aneurysm: A rare presentation. Int J Surg Pathol, 2009; 17: 78–80. 4. Selim M, Awad Albayomy A, Almuhaish LA, Alraddadi SA, Alharbi WM. Multiple incidental unruptured splenic artery aneurysms following severe trauma. Cureus. (2020) 12: e11136. 5. Abbas MA, Stone WM, Fowl RJ, Gloviczki P, Oldenburg WA, Pairolero PC, et al. Splenic artery aneurysms: two decades experience at Mayo clinic. Ann Vasc Surg 2002;16:442-449. 6. Telfah MM. Splenic artery aneurysm: pre-rupture diagnosis is life saving. BMJ Case Rep. 2014;26:2014:bcr2014205115. 7. Effraemidou E, Souftas V, Kofina K, Karanikas M, Lyratzopoulos N. Spontaneous rupture of a splenic artery aneurysm treated with a spleen-preserving procedure: A case report.J Surg Case Rep.2020;12;2020:rjz412. 8. Selo-Ojeme DO, Welch CC. Review: spontaneous rupture of splenic artery aneurysm in pregnancy. Eur J Obstet Gynecol Reprod Biol 2003;109:124–27.