S6436 A Rare Case of Segmental Arterial Mediolysis Presenting as Gastric Outlet Obstruction in the Setting of Perigastric and Periduodenal Hematoma

Introduction: Segmental arterial mediolysis (SAM) is an extremely rare and often misdiagnosed condition. It features nonatherosclerotic, noninflammatory arteriopathy with lysis and vacuolization of the arterial media, causing aneurysm, dissection, stenosis, or rupture. It primarily involves splanchnic arteries (celiac, mesenteric, and renal) and may present with acute abdominal pain from hemorrhage or ischemia or be incidentally detected on imaging. We report a rare case of SAM presenting with gastric outlet obstruction in the setting of perigastric and periduodenal hematoma. Case Description/Methods: A 62-year-old woman presented to the emergency department with epigastric pain, nausea, and hematemesis. Physical exam was consistent with moderate abdominal tenderness without peritoneal signs. Laboratory results indicated a 4 g drop in hemoglobin. Abdominal computed tomography showed a large hematoma surrounding the distal stomach and the proximal duodenum. Given these findings, interventional radiology performed celiac, mesenteric, and bilateral renal angiograms, revealing numerous aneurysms affecting the pancreaticoduodenal arcade, as well as the duodenal, omental, right colic, and left renal arteries. Successful coil embolization of the gastroepiploic, superior pancreaticoduodenal, and gastroduodenal arteries was performed. Imaging findings, along with negative inflammatory markers, supported the diagnosis of SAM. An esophagogastroduodenoscopy was subsequently performed to evaluate symptoms of gastric outlet obstruction and revealed only erythematous gastric mucosa. The patient was managed conservatively, leading to the resolution of her symptoms. She was discharged with a plan for follow-up with vascular surgery. Discussion: The diagnosis of SAM is challenging and often requires exclusion of vasculitis, fibromuscular dysplasia, and other vascular disorders. It is based on characteristic imaging findings and clinical context. Vasculitis and inflammatory markers were negative in our patient. Her symptoms were likely due to transient gastric outlet obstruction from a perigastric and periduodenal hematoma caused by SAM. SAM is a rare but significant vascular pathology to consider in cases of unexplained, severe, or recurrent hemorrhage, especially when imaging shows arterial abnormalities with perigastric or periduodenal hematoma. This case highlights the importance of including SAM in the differential diagnosis for patients with gastric outlet obstruction and arterial abnormalities on imaging.

Publication Details

Journal
The American Journal of Gastroenterology
Published
2025-10-01
DOI
https://doi.org/10.14309/01.ajg.0001154204.78680.64
Primary Topic
Abdominal vascular conditions and treatments
Type
article
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article

S6436 A Rare Case of Segmental Arterial Mediolysis Presenting as Gastric Outlet Obstruction in the Setting of Perigastric and Periduodenal Hematoma

The American Journal of Gastroenterology
Abdominal vascular conditions and treatments
article

S6436 A Rare Case of Segmental Arterial Mediolysis Presenting as Gastric Outlet Obstruction in the Setting of Perigastric and Periduodenal Hematoma

article en

Abstract

Introduction: Segmental arterial mediolysis (SAM) is an extremely rare and often misdiagnosed condition. It features nonatherosclerotic, noninflammatory arteriopathy with lysis and vacuolization of the arterial media, causing aneurysm, dissection, stenosis, or rupture. It primarily involves splanchnic arteries (celiac, mesenteric, and renal) and may present with acute abdominal pain from hemorrhage or ischemia or be incidentally detected on imaging. We report a rare case of SAM presenting with gastric outlet obstruction in the setting of perigastric and periduodenal hematoma. Case Description/Methods: A 62-year-old woman presented to the emergency department with epigastric pain, nausea, and hematemesis. Physical exam was consistent with moderate abdominal tenderness without peritoneal signs. Laboratory results indicated a 4 g drop in hemoglobin. Abdominal computed tomography showed a large hematoma surrounding the distal stomach and the proximal duodenum. Given these findings, interventional radiology performed celiac, mesenteric, and bilateral renal angiograms, revealing numerous aneurysms affecting the pancreaticoduodenal arcade, as well as the duodenal, omental, right colic, and left renal arteries. Successful coil embolization of the gastroepiploic, superior pancreaticoduodenal, and gastroduodenal arteries was performed. Imaging findings, along with negative inflammatory markers, supported the diagnosis of SAM. An esophagogastroduodenoscopy was subsequently performed to evaluate symptoms of gastric outlet obstruction and revealed only erythematous gastric mucosa. The patient was managed conservatively, leading to the resolution of her symptoms. She was discharged with a plan for follow-up with vascular surgery. Discussion: The diagnosis of SAM is challenging and often requires exclusion of vasculitis, fibromuscular dysplasia, and other vascular disorders. It is based on characteristic imaging findings and clinical context. Vasculitis and inflammatory markers were negative in our patient. Her symptoms were likely due to transient gastric outlet obstruction from a perigastric and periduodenal hematoma caused by SAM. SAM is a rare but significant vascular pathology to consider in cases of unexplained, severe, or recurrent hemorrhage, especially when imaging shows arterial abnormalities with perigastric or periduodenal hematoma. This case highlights the importance of including SAM in the differential diagnosis for patients with gastric outlet obstruction and arterial abnormalities on imaging.

The American Journal of GastroenterologyVol. 120(10S2)
Good health and well-being, Gender equality
Openalex Percentile: Top 29%
Abdominal vascular conditions and treatments
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