Scholarlink

Background <p>An aneurysm of the splenic artery is observed when its diameter exceeds 50% of its normal diameter. The normal diameter of the splenic artery ranges from 0.43 to 0.49&#xa0;cm. A ruptured splenic artery aneurysm (SAA) resulting in hemothorax is a rare and life-threatening condition.</p> Case presentation <p>We present a case of a 48-year-old male smoker and chronic alcoholic with a history of blunt trauma to the abdomen and splenectomy, admitted with acute respiratory distress, chest pain, and an unproductive cough. The initial diagnosis was thought to be bilateral pneumonia with left-sided hydrothorax, but with subsequent pleural puncture, serous fluid followed by hemorrhagic discharge was noted. Further examinations revealed a lysing hematoma in the pancreatic tail with an SAA. Imaging confirmed diaphragmatic herniation into the chest cavity with an SAA and diverticula. Urgent endovascular embolization of the SAA was successful with the closure of the diaphragmatic defect, resolving the hemothorax.</p> Discussion <p>There is a lack of information regarding splenic artery aneurysm rupture manifesting as hemothorax. This unique presentation manifests as respiratory distress in a patient with a history of splenectomy and diaphragmatic defect. This case highlights the importance of considering ruptured aneurysms in patients presenting with respiratory distress, especially those with a history of abdominal trauma, splenectomy, and or hepatic cirrhosis in history.</p> Conclusion <p>This case report discusses the importance of considering rupture of splenic artery aneurysms as a differential when patients present with respiratory distress, particularly those with a past medical history of trauma to the abdomen or spleen removal. The rarity of this case also highlights the need for timely identification and intervention, which are vital for favorable outcomes.</p>

错误：搜索内容不能为空，请输入英文关键词
错误：关键词超出字数限制，请精简
高级检索

Ruptured splenic artery aneurysm: a rare cause of hemothorax in a patient with a history of splenectomy and hepatic cirrhosis

  • 期刊论文

  • 出版模式：

    开放获取

  • 发表日期：

    2025年4月28日

查看全文
  • Ikponmwosa Jude Ogieuhi,
  • Zhamaliev Turarzhan Baurzhanovich,
  • Kudzaishe Muzofa,
  • Emmanuel Uchenna Agbo,
  • Ifeoluwa Sandra Bakare

摘要

Background

An aneurysm of the splenic artery is observed when its diameter exceeds 50% of its normal diameter. The normal diameter of the splenic artery ranges from 0.43 to 0.49 cm. A ruptured splenic artery aneurysm (SAA) resulting in hemothorax is a rare and life-threatening condition.

Case presentation

We present a case of a 48-year-old male smoker and chronic alcoholic with a history of blunt trauma to the abdomen and splenectomy, admitted with acute respiratory distress, chest pain, and an unproductive cough. The initial diagnosis was thought to be bilateral pneumonia with left-sided hydrothorax, but with subsequent pleural puncture, serous fluid followed by hemorrhagic discharge was noted. Further examinations revealed a lysing hematoma in the pancreatic tail with an SAA. Imaging confirmed diaphragmatic herniation into the chest cavity with an SAA and diverticula. Urgent endovascular embolization of the SAA was successful with the closure of the diaphragmatic defect, resolving the hemothorax.

Discussion

There is a lack of information regarding splenic artery aneurysm rupture manifesting as hemothorax. This unique presentation manifests as respiratory distress in a patient with a history of splenectomy and diaphragmatic defect. This case highlights the importance of considering ruptured aneurysms in patients presenting with respiratory distress, especially those with a history of abdominal trauma, splenectomy, and or hepatic cirrhosis in history.

Conclusion

This case report discusses the importance of considering rupture of splenic artery aneurysms as a differential when patients present with respiratory distress, particularly those with a past medical history of trauma to the abdomen or spleen removal. The rarity of this case also highlights the need for timely identification and intervention, which are vital for favorable outcomes.