Aneurysms of the splenic artery that anomalously arise from a splenomesenteric trunk are a rarity. Aneurysmal disease of visceral arteries is found in only 0.2% of the general population. The celiac trunk and superior mesenteric artery (SMA) are involved in less than 10% of all visceral aneurysms. Although rupture seems to occur in 20% to 22% of patients, the related mortality rate can rise as high as 100%. Anomalies of the celiac trunk and SMA, more common than previously claimed, include the splenic artery arising from the SMA, which occurs in only 1% of patients. We present two cases of young patients who had 4-cm aneurysms behind the pancreas that involved an anomalous splenic artery. The first patient required dissection of the entire splenopancreatic bloc through a transverse abdominal incision to excise the aneurysm and repair the SMA. The second patient was treated by the classic approach, through a median incision and by entering the mesenteric root. There do not seem to be reports of similar cases, except for two cases of aneurysms involving the celiomesenteric trunk. The cause of these aneurysms can be attributed to mesenchymal alterations during the embryonic formation of aortic collateral branches. A correct surgical approach to splanchnic aneurysms calls for awareness of potential vascular variations of the arteries and their collateral pathways.
Palmaz stents performed will in the SFA, demonstrating a low acute thrombosis rate and good long-term patency. The incidence of restenosis is likely to be greater in occlusions than in stenoses.
Purpose: Femoral stenting has demonstrated inconsistent and often disappointing long-term results. To compare our experience, we retrospectively analyzed a series of patients who had Palmaz balloon-expandable stents placed exclusively for superficial femoral artery (SFA) lesions. Methods: From January 1990 to November 1993, 39 patients were evaluated for claudication (79%) or critical ischemia in 42 limbs. The culprit lesions were confined to the SFA: 24 (57%) occlusions and 18 (43%) stenoses, including 3 restenotic lesions. Stenting was elective in 12 (29%) cases: the 3 restenoses and 9 chronic, calcified occlusions. The remaining stents were applied for postangioplasty residual stenosis or angioscopic findings of thrombogenic luminal irregularities. A total of 55 prostheses were successfully implanted. All patients were maintained on ticlopidine and followed by routine duplex scanning. Follow-up angiography was performed in 28 (72%) patients between 4 and 45 months. Results: In the postprocedural period, two acute thromboses (4.8%) occurred within 48 hours in patients who had long occlusions and poor runoff; no other major complications were encountered, for a clinical success rate of 95%. Follow-up evaluation ranged from 4 months to 4 years with a mean of 25 months. The restenosis rate was 19% (34% in occlusions; 10% in stenotic lesions, p = NS). At 24 months, cumulative primary patency was 77% and secondary patency 89%. Conclusions: Palmaz stents performed well in the SFA, demonstrating a low acute thrombosis rate and good long-term patency. The incidence of restenosis is likely to be greater in occlusions than in stenoses.
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