Multiple Aneurysms or Pseudoaneurysms of the Gastroepiploic Artery: An Anecdotal Cause of Hemoperitoneum

• Published in: Curēus (Palo Alto, CA) Vol. 16; no. 3; p. e56598
• Main Authors: Lopera-Valle, Johan Sebastian, Muñoz-Caicedo, Brayan, Muñoz Durán, Julián Andrés
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: United States Cureus Inc 20-03-2024
• Subjects: Abdomen; Atherosclerosis; Embolization; Etiology; Medical imaging; Morphology; Mortality; Pain; Patients; Pseudoaneurysm; Tomography; Trauma; Ultrasonic imaging; Veins & arteries; aneurysm; gastroepiploic artery; hemoperitoneum; general and vascular surgery; pseudoaneurysm; interventional radiology guided embolization
• ISSN: 2168-8184; 2168-8184
• DOI: 10.7759/cureus.56598

Gastroepiploic artery aneurysms and pseudoaneurysms pose diagnostic challenges due to their rarity and overlapping radiological features. This case report presents an 82-year-old woman with sudden-onset severe abdominal pain with computed tomography revealing hemoperitoneum and saccular dilations adjacent to the stomach's greater curvature, suggestive of vascular pathology. Selective abdominal arteriography confirmed three saccular dilatations in the gastroepiploic artery, which were managed successfully with coil embolization. The discussion emphasizes the importance of accurate diagnosis, distinguishing between aneurysms and pseudoaneurysms, and prompt intervention to mitigate the risk of hemorrhagic complications of either of them. The case underscores the significance of endovascular management in such rare and critical scenarios.