Visceral Arterial Aneurysm

A visceral artery aneurysm (VAA) is a weakening and ballooning of a section of the arteries that supply blood to your abdominal organs. These organs include:

Spleen
Liver
Kidneys
Intestines

The most common visceral artery aneurysms are:

Splenic artery aneurysm: This is the most frequent type, accounting for about 60% of all VAAs.
Hepatic artery aneurysm: This affects the artery supplying blood to the liver.
Superior mesenteric artery aneurysm (SMA aneurysm): This involves the artery providing blood to the small intestine and part of the colon.
Renal artery aneurysm (RAA): Though arising from the aorta, renal artery aneurysms are sometimes classified separately due to their unique characteristics.

Causes

The exact cause of VAAs is unknown, but several factors can contribute to their development:

Atherosclerosis: This is the hardening and narrowing of arteries due to plaque buildup.
Infections
Inflammation
Connective tissue diseases such as Marfan syndrome or Ehlers-Danlos syndrome
Trauma to the abdomen
Pancreatitis
Smoking
High blood pressure
Family history of aneurysms

Symptoms

Most VAAs don’t cause any symptoms and are often detected incidentally during imaging tests performed for other reasons. When symptoms do occur, they may vary depending on the affected artery and the size of the aneurysm. Here are some possible symptoms:

Abdominal pain
Nausea and vomiting
Feeling full after eating a small amount (early satiety)
Pulsating sensation in the abdomen
Fever (if infection is present)
Blood in the stool (if a splenic artery aneurysm ruptures)

Diagnosis

If your doctor suspects a VAA, they may recommend imaging tests such as:

Ultrasound: This uses sound waves to create images of your organs and blood vessels.
Computed tomography (CT) scan: This provides detailed cross-sectional images of your abdomen.
Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scan: This uses strong magnetic fields and radio waves to create detailed images of your organs and blood vessels.
Digital subtraction angiography (DSA):This is an X-ray imaging technique that uses a contrast material to visualize your blood vessels (Click here to read more on Digital subtraction angiogram)

Treatment

Treatment for a VAA depends on the size and location of the aneurysm, as well as your overall health. Here are the two main treatment approaches:

Monitoring: If the aneurysm is small and not causing any symptoms, your doctor may recommend monitoring it regularly with imaging tests to watch for any changes in size.
Endovascular repair: This minimally invasive procedure involves inserting a catheter through a small incision in the groin or arm and threading it to the location of the aneurysm. A stent or stent graft is then placed inside the aneurysm to reinforce the weakened wall (Click here to read more on Endovascular treatment of arterial aneurysm /pseudoaneurysm)
Open surgery: In some cases, open surgery may be necessary to remove the aneurysm and replace the affected artery with a graft.

Risks and complications

The most serious complication of a VAA is rupture. A ruptured aneurysm can cause life-threatening internal bleeding. Other potential complications include:

Blood clot formation within the aneurysm
Infection
Organ damage due to reduced blood flow

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Visceral Arterial Aneurysm