Rupture of Splenic Artery Pseudoaneurysm with Pancreatitis: A Rare Case Report

Abstract

Vascular involvement of pancreatic pseudocyst is a rare complication that can potentially result in a fatal outcome. If there is vascular involvement, the splenic artery is most often involved; its rupture and massive bleeding into the peritoneal cavity or retroperitoneal space can lead to hypovolemic shock. We report on a 66-year-old-male patient, who initially presented with atypical chest pain and was diagnosed with a rupture of the splenic artery pseudoaneurysm resulting from chronic pancreatitis. The patient was successfully treated by transcatheter arterial embolization (TAE).The patient’s condition improved and he was finally discharged without complications 22 days after admission. The splenic arterial involvement in the patient with pancreatic pseudocyst is an uncommon complication. Chest pain with pleuritic symptom is often misdiagnosed as cardiovascular or pulmonary disease. Proper management depending on hemodynamic stability can prevent a life-threatening event.